Top Shot Season 3 – Who Will Be Crowned Top Douchebag?

Check the season 3 trailer:

Douchebag history was made the first two seasons.

Starting August 9th… the fight for the illustrious title of season 3’s top douchebag will begin.

^ Click to enlarge

I don’t particularly care for Top Shot, so I probably won’t watch very many episodes. I think starting it up in summer is also a mistake, because most people have better things to do than watch TV indoors.

I’m looking forward to running the dialog though and hearing your thoughts on the contestants as the show progresses.

Surprisingly there isn’t any blatant douchebaggery in the trailer; Everyone actually seems pretty nice. I thought the ex navy seal (Jake Zewig) at the end was going to be my pick when he said he “had the innate ability to do the impossible consistently”, but his chuckle afterwards tells me that he was joking.

There aren’t any individual cast videos up yet, although I’m sure you can find a lot of their audition videos if your search for their names on youtube. Their bios are up on the History website though if you want to take a look.

I’m normally pretty good at distinguishing confidence from douchebaggery, but maybe i’m off my game tonight.

Also, why can’t there be people who are just there to have a simple, fun competition, instead of trying to smack down on everybody else? I made it 2 episodes into Top Douchebag season 1 and I couldn’t get any farther because of that. Like the guys saying that the Marine using the 1903 Springfield was a failure. Not necessarily, he’s using a system he’s unfamiliar with under intense pressure. While he did expend quite a few rounds for not hitting a single target, it’s not that he’s a useless shooter.

I watched the first season, but it seemed to turn into a soap opera TV show. Yawn. What he hell, if they can’t get along as a team, have ’em go it alone and shoot at each other! Now you’d have a teriffic TV show!

1. Knock of the soap. This is about shooting.
2. Knock of the dumb trials with weird stuff like blowguns, slingshots, or silly bows. Stick to firearms.
3. Phil Morden insterested in the military? Great! Walk off the show and to the nearest recruiter now…and check your ego at the door “video” boy!

i have worked with Gary Quesenberry before. He is an Army veteran and an all around solid guy. when we qualified at work he was always shooting at 95% or better on the course, so he is a very solid shooter.

aahhahahh troll harder Brian, your 15 minutes of fame was up in week 12 of last season. That said, despite you thinking I’m a loser for making a contest out of the flagrant douchbaggery on top shot, you were actually one of the final few guys I hoped would win. Best of luck with your current and future endeavors.

The guys on this show should all have to turn in their man card after appearing. The annoying bickering and political drama belongs on survivor and America’s Next Top Model. Bottom two shooters for that particular shoot should go up, anything else shows an incredible lack of character to any person who utters the phrase “I’m here to shoot against the best”. Quit dogging on people who haven’t served and classifying them as not as good…

All the “real men” of the show have come across as the whiniest bunch of douche bags in reality TV.

From season 2 I nominate the entire “alliance group” (even though I otherwise liked Chris Reed) as biggest douche. They had the balls to say on TV at times it was about performance. Absolutely no character.

Oddly it’s been the non combat folks who have represented the values the combat elite should proudly show…

Last season REALLY soured me on Top Shot; it showed some of the worst of human behavior in a sport that is supposed to bring out the best in people. I’d just like to thank the producers of Top Shot for putting out some of the crappiest television on the airwaves. BTW, I won’t be watching this season.

Michael Marelli. Dude doesn’t hit ONE target in the opening pistol shoot off. THEN when Amanda is eliminated he goes on about how much stronger red team is because she is gone. Look in the mirror dude!

Hm. Now that I’m halfway through episode 2, Jake is getting on my nerves. His leadership style is TOO military and he seems too used to dealing with kids, not adults who may have something to contribute.

Kardinal, you basically summed up everything. It’s ALREADY on the 2nd episode and Jake is a major dick. He’s worse than Jay Lim, although later on Jay Lim didn’t seem like an asshole later on during the show (Season 2). If Jake isn’t Top douchebag, he’s certainly making it to the finals for such.

I want to see Dustin kick Jake’s ass at an elimination. Maybe Jake will be a sore loser like Ashley Spurlin.

Mike Marelli is already crowned top douchebag in my book. He shot 4 for 15 tonight with his gun of choice. Then he lies when the team is deciding whos going to elimination and says he went “5 for 10”. I hope his grandfather did end up kicking his @ss after watching tonights episode. He hasnt done anything to help his team n i seriously dont see him being around in another few weeks. Dude has done nothing but run his mouth about everyone else n has no reason to be cocky. I’m from long island myself n wouldnt mind running into this chump so i could shut his mouth.

Not only did he shoot 4 for 15 which was the second lowest percentage of shots made he also called out Drew who went 5 for 10 which was the second highest percentage. In my experiance a higher shot percentage is better and I am not sure why Mike was not sent to elimination.

I wonder when people lie on the show if they think about when it’s all edited together and folks get to see it again and again? Is it too much to ask for a good shooter that’s simple with solid straight forward character?

I had to search for a message board to complain on — I am not a message board person, but some of the people on this show irritate me so much I need to express it (George last year, and Michael Marelli this year). Strange- I could not find a History Channel Blog — seems they might not like all the criticism on the show.
Anyway – now I found a blog – and many have beaten me to my point.
Many indicate Michael Marelli going 4/15 — I counted him 1/5 two times = 2/10, but either way that blows!! and with the weapon you are a champion with!! Please!!! If that is “his weapon” why would his team expect him to be able to assist the team with other “no so familiar” weapons later??
Not one person voted him into elimination —- Whats up with that?
and what is up with him banging on anyone else’s performance??
He did not even admit to his own poor performance, yet points his finger at others.
He is TOP SNOT (err – sorry – douchebag)!!!
Jake is annoying, but he seems to shoot solidly, and made up a lot of ground in the team challenge on the gauntlet challenge. At least his ability may offset his behavior (a little) — Mike has no redemption though.

And for last season — No way George intentionally gave away 100 Grand to a guy he has known for 6 weeks, regardless of whether he needs it or not. People are giving that douchebag integrity — he has none. He missed because he was cocky — and by the way — despite the 1 shot 1000 yard shot — he lost that also, by several seconds — The criteria was speed, not number of shots.

I keep hammering on my point…but well, that’s what the internet’s for :D

I don’t understand how these people who are ex Rangers, Seals, etc. can get up and talk about honor, tradition, and integrity and then have none.

Take a show like Top Chef (main version not spin offs). There are a couple weaselly folks, but by and large every person on that show has character. When another contestant is struggling they help them out. Many times on that show I’ve heard someone say I’d rather my dish beat their best dish…not glad to have been thrown a cheap bone.

TV networks need to understand that excellence can be entertaining just as much as whiny, immature people…probably more so. We need to do more in society these days to show excellence and not reward idiocy. Top shooters stay, bottom two go for eliminiation. Eliminate the pointless drama and highlight excellence in character and performance…. let kids see that hard work, practice, etc advance you not “alliances”, coasting in the middle, etc.

I’m sure 90% of the guys on that show could shoot rings around me, but I’m even more sure that if I were on a platform like that I’d damn sure not behave like a contestant on America’s Next Top Model and would shoot like a man.

Michael Marelli! He is a horrible shot yet he brags all the time! I mean, he shot 2 out of 10 in the shot gun challenge – the gun he was supposed to be the expert pick for. He is pointing fingers at other people for being bad shots when he consistently underperforms.

Michael Marelli wasn’t as bad this week, but he’s still my vote for top douchebag. His conduct in the shotgun competition and failing to own up to his own poor performance has him in the #1 spot for me at this point.

Seriously, Michael Marelli- got 3/10 on the shotgun round then screwed his team on the revolver round [by hitting 1/4]. I really hope he’s the next one to get knocked out. Definitely doesn’t seem like there’s anyone to really root for in this season [unlike JJ Racaza or the other guy who was pro from season 1- those guys had awesome character.]

Jake comes off as arrogant and his trashtalking is disrespectful, but at least he’s a take-charge leader who is trying to help his team. Michael Marelli is far worse. He’s been a jerk the whole time, he’s constantly critical of others (“like he was throwing a rubber chicken”), but he had the unmitigated GALL to call for performance-based elimination on the shotgun challenge that he totally FUBARed…and it was in his wheelhouse! His expertise! Unbelievable.

As for who you can root for, while there’s not a stone cold pro like Ian or JJ out there anymore, I like Dustin for his carefree, humble, fun-loving dead-accurate performance. And Gary seems like a standup guy.

Jake Zweig got my attention FAST when he claimed to have been accepted by the Naval Academy when he was a freshman IN HIGH SCHOOL. HUH!!? That does NOT happen and making that claim makes him an idiot at best–but most likely dishonest. Who knows, maybe some coach at the academy expressed an interest in him that early (I don’t see how, but possible I guess). An exceptional few can be admitted as early as late junior year. Most not until seniors. Second: During 29 years in the Marine Corps, I knew and worked with a few SEALS and a few more Army Special Forces guys. Many different personalities; NONE and I mean NOT A SINGLE ONE was a loud mouth braggart like Jake. Third: He’s not a “take charge leader” as someone above said. He’s bully who throws his weight around and TRIES to lead by intimidation. Treating a bunch of colleagues like recruits is pure B.S. Finally–and AGAIN, unlike any spec ops folks I have known–he’s NOT a stand up guy. He goes 0 for 3 on the last episode (so what if it’s a friggin’ tomahawk) and stays quiet as a church mouse while the rest of the team discusses who to nominate for elimination. Others step up and nominate themselves while Jake (for maybe the first time in his life) makes himself invisible. So, we can add COWARD to his list of character flaws. Everything about this guy runs counter to all I’ve ever known about spec ops guys (and also counter to nearly everyone I knew–and ALL I respected– in the Marine Corps). I know his claim of being accepted by the Naval Academy as a freshman in high school is not true. That “inaccuracy” and everything else I’ve seen about him sure makes me wonder about other claims on his resume’. I wonder if they looked at his DD 214 when they took him on the show?

In referance to the points made by Gator 6, I couldn’t agree more. When I see members of the military, especially officers, in the spotlight as Jake is now I expect them to display professionalism and humility at all times. If you are going to tout your military credentials in front of an audience than you better represent the best qualities of leadership. Quite frankly I am embarased by Jake’s conduct on the show, Gator is correct on all his assesments. I spent seven years in special operations as an enlisted soldier and NCO, working with Marine Recon, Army Special Forces, Navy Seals and I even met a few Delta members who volunteered to assist our unit with training. The one common quality in all of these elite warriors was their humility and oddly enough the more well accomplished and experienced they were the less they tooted their own horns. When I recieved a commission and began flying Apaches I fought side by side with these warriors providing close combat air support in battles such as commando wrath in Afghanistan, and still, despite amazing feats of heroism performed by America’s finest warriors, they remained humble. I don’t doubt Jake’s credentials, I’m sure the show vetted him out prior airing episodes, but I can say this, he is not the norm when it comes to members of the Special Operation Community.

I have noted the reactions toward Jake from the other former seal “experts” brought on to the show to give them advice. One came right out and said they didn’t approve of Jake’s leadership style and training methods while the other guy kept his comments generally toward the blue team as a whole. I could tell that neither was much impressed by Jake. That is pretty telling when former special ops guys won’t acknowledge another as a part of their brotherhood.

I don’t claim to know much about Special Ops guys and their culture, but I did just get done reading SEAL Team Six written by a former SEAL sniper, and if any guy had reason to brag, it would be him, but like you say, Gator, it seems like the better they are, the more humble they are, which makes sense in that 1) They don’t have to brag to prove anything, and 2) They know they aren’t Superman.

Jake is the complete opposite, obviously. I’m sure his douchebaggery was a thorn in the side of his SEAL teammates, and now in Top Shot, it’s obvious he has no sense of teamwork whatsoever. Granted, in the end, you’re playing for your own win, not your team’s, but he clearly puts his own Alpha Dog douchebaggishness ahead of everything else.

I completely agree. My Navy roommate’s uncle was a SEAL. I’ve been over to his house with my roommate a few times to have a few beers with his SEAL uncle and 3 or 4 of his SEAL buddies. Those guys were nothing like Jake. No loudmouth braggarts in that group. Nice guys, be relaxed and respectful and you’ve got no problems.

Jake is frickin’ loser. He’s a loudmouth bully, but immediately becomes a whiner when people call him on his crap. His voice gets high and he can’t shut up. When he was put up for elimination, he kept saying that it was all right, but then he immediately showed what a whiny loser (and liar) he is by not letting it go. He really strikes me as a 40 year old who hangs out in bars with 22 year olds and impresses them with his full-of-shit military stories. I’ve seen one person from my Navy past and a couple of co-workers who do that, it’s pathetic.

I’d like to see one of his teammates ask him point-blank, “If your fellow SEALs could see you now, what would they think of your whiny pussy attitude? Talk is talk, doing it is something else.” He’d throw a screaming fit, guaranteed, because it’s all he’s got.

I also don’t believe for a minute that this guy was accepted by the Naval Academy as a H.S. freshman. Seeing how fragile his ego is, I’m doubting that he was ever a SEAL. I’d like to take a look at Jake’s DD214 or service record, he doesn’t even act ex-military, much less ex-SEAL. He strikes me as the type who got hurt on Day 3 of BUDS, got out on a medical, and has been getting by on talk ever since. 90% of employers and 100% of drinking buddies don’t check references.

Another thing, I believe it was mentioned that he took 5 years to graduate. Normally when you use extra semesters to graduate you lose your initial job choice. Assuming that SEAL is one of the most highly sought after post-graduation jobs at Annapolis, and assuming that there are very few slots I don’t understand how he would even have a chance at the job.

Wasn’t aware that Zweig was on the five year plan at the academy but it sure fits the picture I see. It STRONGLY suggests that ol’ Jake “struggled” academically (i.e. wasn’t very smart). I saw something that said he was a surface warfare officer for two years before going to SEAL training. SWO out of the academy is largely (but not exclusively) for the guys who couldn’t get into the Marines, subs, or flight school. However, the spec ops communities are doing anything they can to get black candidates to try out. Spec ops (enlisted and especially officer) is waaaay too white for the Pentagon EEO office. They are under intense pressure to increase the melanin content of the community. There’s no shortage of Hispanic candidates though. Culturally, those guys are into that stuff and are well represented–in the enlisted ranks at least.

And it goes even farther to kill Jake’s story that he was accepted as a high school freshman. The USNA wants to see athletic involvement, but 95% of their selection criteria is academic. You can cruise classes in a high school that’s half-assed, but you still have to get past the SATs, ACTs, and USNA entrance exams (you won’t talk your way past that).

I’d like to agree that USNA wants to see grades but when it comes to recruiting ICs (Intercollegiate athletes) they truly do recruit. From my understanding that is what the prep school is for, hence it could be considered that it took five years to graduate. Annapolis does the most IC recruiting with USMA doing the least of the service academies.

Although i agree with u guys that Jake is deft a cocky trash talker that doesn’t know how to ‘lead’ his team u cant deny mike marelli is the definition of douchebag. at least jake backs up his cockyness with some pretty spot on shooting. he went 9 for 9 with the corner shot tonight in an elimanation match, performance wise, he didnt belong in. that should quiet some of his critics. i understand why they voted him tho. he’s killing the blue teams chemistry. but mike marelli on the other hand has bashed his own team, opposing players, he’s even lied to his team to avoid going to elimination. he’s done all this and not backed it up when he has a gun in his hands. thats all that matters. i hope its marelli leaving unexpected next week because jake broke his nose or something.

and btw its obvious jake isnt the norm and most viewers know not all of our spec ops soldiers arent as immature as he is. but i do want to thank u and all of our men n women across seas that are fighting to keep this country safe. God Bless!

I would expect going to an elimination match and winning to be a major pump-up for a SEAL. I’d expect him to be saying, “Thanks, guys! I needed that acid-test! You just made me that much harder to beat.” Instead, he paces around the house whining and butt-hurt that they sent him up. He sure doesn’t act like the half-dozen spec. ops guys that I’ve ever met. In fact, Jake’s ego is more fragile than the average rank-and-file sailor. It’s getting harder and harder to believe that this guy got through SEAL training and was out there in the world doing it. It’s getting a lot easier to believe that he failed out of training (officers who fail out of SEAL training are out of the military, too) and has been walking around with a chip on his shoulder about it ever since.

Jake and Mike M are by far the biggest weasels , they lack honor and courage but are great at throwing others under the bus. When are their respective teams going to wise up and start sending these two to elimination.

Jake’s bravado masks his insecurity, probably from childhood. And since he is actually a pretty good shot at times, he should welcome being voted into elimination — let him put his money where his mouth is, and win a $2,000 gift card to boot. The guy is a complete douche, and he needs to be voted off the island before blue team completely self-destructs.

As for Mike M., even though he is a weasel, doesn’t seem like a total asshole — he has a good sense of humor and seems nice enough. Can’t say I’d want to be on the same team as him, but would be fun to have a beer with him; as for Jake, I’m about ready to shoot my TV!

Tim, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Usually, braggarts (like Jake) stay in constant chest-beating mode to try to convince everyone else how awesome they are because, deep down, they’re not so sure. You were more concise: they’re insecure. I never met a spec ops guy who suffered that particular affliction. His EXTREMELY un-SEAL-like behavior, along with his certifiably false claim to have been accepted by the Naval Academy as a freshman in high school (zero percent chance) caused me to question his SEAL credentials. That was a deductive suspicion only and Gunbow 16 is probably right that they vetted the SEAL claim before putting him on the air. Assuming he ever made it into the teams, it’s clear why he’s no longer there. He didn’t fit, AT ALL, and it wasn’t because of the color of his skin. He would’ve been frozen out in short order. Like you, I want to shoot my screen every time he’s on (so do both my kids for that matter). Given the posts I’ve got up, it might appear that I’ve got it in for Jake. I DO! His conduct is SO unbecoming of any veteran, or ANY officer, particularly a combat arms officer, and even MORE particularly a SEAL officer, that it’s just an embarrassment to me as a Marine officer (ret). He reflects negatively on all of us and he turns my stomach. But I mean that in the nicest possible way.

You and Tim really nailed it here. Jake seems like the kind of guy who failed out of training or made it to a SEAL team and was quickly drummed out due to his utter inability to function in a team environment.

I’m not sure I really want someone snitching on his conduct on the Teams. I think his conduct on the show speaks for itself. I just wish it didn’t reflect on the Teams or the Navy. Because unfortunately, it does.

Tonight, Jake betrayed his team. He clearly has a me-first attitude. I couldn’t stand Mike M in the past, but now Jake is in the #1 spot. If I were on Blue, I’d vote him to elimination every single time.

I served with Gary in the Army and as another poster said, he is a stand up guy.You can tell he is not into all that drama in the house.

It is a toss up between Michael and Jake for me, Jake is a bully that has poor leadership skills (I would like to know his win-loss as a coach!). Michael comes across as a whiney complainer that criticizes others for the speck in their eye without noticing the plank in his own eye! Neither one will man up and own their poor performances. Jake put his money where his mouth is on the elimination challenge though, while Michael was back at the house pouting and drawing his own elimination bulls-eye for Jake on the side of the house with his crayon. What a douche! I think the edge is with Michael right now!

Willie if you watched the end of the last episode you’d see that Jake, no joke, put his bedding outside. This guy has so much pride, I don’t even think there is room for integrity. Just like Ashley from the last season, pride is going to make Jake a douchebag* regardless of whether or not he is “crowned” it or not.

*As far as I’m concerned, he’s already a douchebag. I don’t care if he can shoot or not and regardless of the show’s name, if I wanted to watch drama I’d turn on the Kardashians.

Yep, caught that. Maybe there is room for a douche bag tie this season. No question that both Jake an Michael are both douches. Both have now each faced elimination with certainly more elimination votes headed their way. Let’s see how next week pans out for Jake.

Since Jake’s service record is called to question here, he may also belong to the sub-species Wannabe Douchebag (Fallacious Doucheous) not to be confused with Cock-sucking Douchebag (Fellatious Doucheous).

I have watched this show from Season One and I make my husband watch it, as he hates the “Drama”; I laugh. My feeling this year is… let us put them together at the end of it all and let them hash it out like they do with the REAL HOUSEWIVES shows…hahahahaha because that is sometimes what it feels like I am watching!!! (okay maybe not that bad)
From the first show I could not take Jake. The only greally great performance I really saw him give is the one he gave in the elimination round. I really cannot stand him, for reasons that were mentioned in above posts that need not to be mentioned again. :)

Just found this with a quick Google search: an article on Jake whining about Racism in the SEALs! What a frickin’ surprise — him pulling the race card. The douchebag actually filed a complaint! Contrast that to Jarrett with no chip on his shoulder whatsoever. I wish he was still in the competition.

Some see efforts to diversify Special Forces as lowering of standards for sake of image
By RON KAMPEAS
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Special Forces have always prided themselves on how hard it is to become a member. For some black SEALs, Rangers and Green Berets, staying is tougher than getting in. With Special Forces having become the face of the U.S. military in the Afghan war, leaders are sensitive to the fact that those faces are overwhelmingly white, and they are recruiting in minority neighborhoods. The problem, some say, is the attitudes black recruits face once inside. “It was like being the only black in a Harley-Davidson gang, as out of place as you can be,” said retired Lt. Jake Zweig of his short, tumultuous stay in the SEALs. “It was horrendous.”

The SEALs have acknowledged “pockets of racial insensitivity” and have appointed a minority recruitment chief with authority to veto bigoted candidates. The crux, all agree, is the elitism that defines the “special” in Special Forces.

When he suggested more aggressive recruitment among minority sailors, Zweig said an officer retorted sharply: “What do you want us to do, lower the standards, so more of y’all can make it in?”

Zweig filed a complaint.

A Navy investigator confirmed Zweig’s account of the meeting but concluded the remark was a misunderstanding and “not racial in nature.” The report expressed sympathy for the view that “any change in training is seen as an eroding of the standards.” Rear Adm. Eric Olson, the top SEAL, concluded there was no systemic racism, but “pockets of racial insensitivity.” Zweig, now 29, ended his three years in the SEALs last year and is now studying law.

This article is just another perfectly fitting piece of the puzzle on the nearly complete picture I saw of Jake “the Snake” in the first episode. In Jake’s world, everyone who has a problem with the way he constantly shoots off his mouth or tries to bully and intimidate his TEAM-mates is a racist jerk who doesn’t “get” how awesome he is. He LIED about being appointed to the Naval Academy while a FRESHMAN in high school; took FIVE years to finish a four year program at the academy (sure sign of poor academic performance) and when he gets frozen out of the SEALS for being a giant prick, and apparently flunks out of law school (he sure ain’t no lawyer; but maybe he got frustrated by THEIR failure to appreciate how outstanding he is). I feel terrible for the SEALS who have had watch this bully/dumb ass/liar/cry baby constantly use their good name as justification for all his spoiled, “Me first” behavior. Unfortunately, he’s powerful evidence that the PC/Equal Opportunity nazis at the Pentagon took an affirmative action crow bar to the SEAL admission standard so they could “score” a black SEAL officer. They probably forced the issue based solely on his ability to pass the physical fitness standard. I can assure you, he doesn’t have half the brains–or one third the poise and maturity–of the ENLISTED SEALS I knew and worked with. Once again, I meant to dash off a quick comment and couldn’t plug the vile I feel for this guy and the damage he’s doing to the reputation of a truly sterling group of elite special operators–and to combat arms vets of all stripes.

Jake’s only valuable characteristic, clearly in his opinion, is pride. Without his pride there isn’t much else for him as a human being. Moreover, his pride negates his ability to actually be a caring/concerned team player.

He’s right, eventually it will be a free for all, but until then he is on a team and all he is doing is compromising the integrity of such Potentially he could interfere with the quality of shooting from the team if he keeps this up.

Anytime I see behavior like his I question whether or not I should even bother feeling proud about anything in life, as I feel I could turn into someone like Jake if I continued down that road.

Sure enough, this guy got out as a O-3 (Lieutenant). When you’re a whiner with an entitled attitude, the SEALS are not going to make it a fun ride for you. Now we know why this guy has a chip on his shoulder and an ego as fragile as a high school girl’s.

Yep, Jake sure seems like the type who would be whining about “racial sensitivity” and “diversity”. In other words, he wants to get through life on shortcuts and live in a world where nobody can say anything to him about it without him being able to file a grievance and get them punished. He wants to play hardball with people but have them hamstrung so that they can only lob softballs. Jake is a loser of the highest caliber.

Well, I am shocked to find out that Jake apparently really did serve.
I wish I could have seen him in his Tunic and Skirt.
Oh Wait, No – Thats the girlscouts – sorry – we all know they have integrity.
Seems Jakes nothing but a poser there also!

Mike may have been a douchebag — but there has to be some douchebags in the world.
Jake, however, is a whiny, self centered, loudmouthed, insecure, egomaniac, with some ability, and no integrity. The world really doesn’t need any of those – or him.

How about next week we send three to elimination – The two with the worst performance, and Jake can be the target. I just hope the other two get a few hits each.

I’ve certainly thought Jake was a douche on the show…him and Mike. But I think digging so much into his personal life is a bit extreme.

He’s arrogant, cocky, a bad team mate, etc but he did serve. If he felt that things were unfair and if he heard that statement quoted in the article I think it shows he has guts. It’s hard to stand up against others in that organization when it’s conditioned into you to shut up and take whatever is given and not break the line. If he honestly felt something wasn’t right and there was racial bias, kudos to him for stepping up and speaking on it.

Having recently had a friend compete in another reality show I know a LOT is left on the cutting room floor. He does seem to be someone I wouldn’t want to have on my team, but all the speculation about his life outside the show is out of line. If he took 5 years instead of 4…well he was still there unlike a great many others. If he’s a weak example of a SEAL character…he was still a f’n SEAL. That’s still something.

Bad teamate, hot head, etc YES, sure. But we only see a portion of him you know?

Paul, I’ll give him credit for serving, and as you say, actually becoming a SEAL is quite an achievement. I don’t begrudge him for that in the least, and he certainly didn’t achieve that based on affirmative action. But I think his victim mentality speaks for itself. I posted the article because I think it is right in line with the attitude we’ve seen on the show. No doubt he’s experienced racism in his life as nearly every black man or woman has at some point. But for him to think that everyone is “out to get him” because they’re jealous or whatever is just a bunch of crap. I think some people see everything through victim goggles — say someone goes into a restaurant and gets crappy service. They think it’s because they’re black and the waiter’s white, whereas maybe the waiter just gives everyone crappy service. So it’s not surprising to me in the least that he was a prick in the SEALs either. It’s just a little too coincidental.

Paul, with all due respect, Jake’s service entitles him to many things, but it doesn’t give him license to make claims about how great he is and how everyone else sucks without his record being up for a bit of a look. He put it out there and his claims aren’t necessarily the whole story. I did nearly 29 years in the Marine Corps but I sure as hell don’t expect anyone to give me a pass if I act like a spoiled, self centered child. The fact that he served doesn’t excuse that crap; it makes it worse; way worse in my book. I’m pretty tolerant of him being an asshole. The constant bragging and chest pounding is completely inconsistent with ANY of the special ops guys I knew—SEALS and Special Forces, but those are pardonable sins (I guess). What’s not tolerable, especially from someone who wraps himself in the mantle of a military vet, is the dishonesty and lack of moral courage that he has displayed (read my posts above for examples of both). Jake’s a guy that wants everything Jake’s way. If events don’t go to suit Jake, it’s somebody else’s fault. In Jake’s world, the SEAL’s failure to fully appreciate his wonderfulness, and/or their reluctance to compromise a rigid standard to satisfy the EEO pricks makes them racist. I’m sure his short lived career had nothing to do with him being a whinny, self promoting, insufferable loud mouth who kept trying to spell “team” with a capital “I.” I’ve seen his type and they’re poison in a team environment. And I have to tell you; an injury short of nearly dying in some catastrophic event doesn’t take you out of the classroom at the academy for a year. When it takes a midshipman five years to get a four year undergrad degree at the academy it’s nearly always because the midshipman in question wasn’t hacking it academically. Jake’s apparent lack of success in law school would be consistent with that too. Assumptions? No: likely deductions based on facts as known, behavior as observed, and experience gained over a career in one of the naval services.

Gator 6, you are spot on, absolutely right. Makes you wonder if a guy as petulant and immature as this guy is, was EVER in the SF community. Team player? No way, sportsmanlike behaviour? No Way, Crap attitude to all and sundry? Absolutely. I have the greatest respect for our allied comrades in the US, with a particular affinity for the US Navy and Marine Corps having served in the Royal Navy for 38 years and I can only imagine what this loser’s messmates and comrades in arms would have thought of his ‘walk off’ on tonight’s ‘Top Shot’ episode. I have had the privilege to host members of the SEALs on my last ship and to put it mildly, they would have ‘picturised’ this guy after his childish behaviour on tonights show. What a disgrace. It makes me even more convinced this fella was a ‘legend in his own lunchtime’.

Cheers Terry, or should I say “sir” (surely you outrank me after 38 years service). I too genuinely questioned the SEAL claim. First because of his blatant lie about getting an appointment to the Naval Academy and second the stark contrast between him and every other special ops guys (including SEALS I’ve known and worked with during my career in the Marine Corps.

However, it appears that Jake was a SEAL. He was featured in an article about how the equal opportunity zealots in the Pentagon are worked up over the lack of black special ops types, particularly SEALS. In their minds, racism is the only possible explanation for their under-representation (couldn’t possibly stem from the far fewer (proportionately) who volunteer. I have no doubts about Jake’s physical toughness. My experience tells me that, since he didn’t quit BUDS, being a minority OFFICER candidate he was probably not “permitted” to be washed out for other “subjective” signs of unsuitability; things that would’ve disqualified other, more melanin challenged candidates.

After initial training, however, Jake had to make it IN THE TEAMS. Clearly, there was trouble. Jake would have us believe it’s because the SEALS are racist (that was his claim in the article). He certainly wouldn’t be the first to use that excuse to escape responsibility for their own poor performance. Jake doesn’t just fit that pattern, he EXEMPLIFIES it. The training pipeline might not have been permitted to send him packing, but no way were the guys in the teams going to roll over for his cheap antics (opinion only, but based on about 29 years of experience in our own Corps of Marines and intimate exposure to the sister services).

Gator 6, I believe you are right on target. I have been fortunate over the years to have competed with, trained by or with as well as worked with members or former members of the Spec Op community. In all my years I have never came across one of those men with the attitude of Jake. In my opinion he degrades the reputation of the SEALS, if in fact he ever was one. Granted a certain amount of attitude is portrayed from these men but it is a combination of a type A personality and training in my opinion. In my years I have also come across those who claimed to be Spec Ops and once the truth was known they were assigned to a unit as support personnel not actual team members. Now by no means do I mean to degrade anyone’s service, but I do not believe these are real traits obtained through the hardships endured to reach that goal. Jake shows no professional traits including weapon skills but especially team skills, of a real SEAL. Now that being said with issues of misrepresentation of military service by public figures not so long ago the REAL SEALS need to figure out if Jake is real or not and if he is some of his former Teammates need to have a conversation with him.

I was looking for somewhere to put my opinion of Jake down when I found this site. What a perfect place for me to vent. Jake is such a jerk. I haven’t read anyone else’s thoughts yet but I will. Jake is the biggest jerk who has ever been on Topshot. I enjoy the show very much but I wish Big Mike had stomped Jake’s ass when he was screaming at him, “what are you going to do?”. I don’t know if they would have sent Mike home but they shouldnt. Jake was screaming like the whiny little pussy girl that he is. I find it hard to believe that he was ever in the service much less a Seal. He is a braggart and a loser and the most dishonorable and unsportsmanlike wimp Ive ever seen in competition. I hope they send him back to elimination and tell him its not merit based but that its because he is the doucebag of the show and that everyone hates him and thats why hes going back. He is a whiny badmouthed bad-tempered jerk

Of course Jake is a jerk. He is used by the show to build controversy and build a drama subplot. He plays a steriotype well and keeps people watching. How much is true, and how much is acting? It maybe just the show manipulating a few things for viewership. Don’t belive everything you see.

I’m afraid it’s much more than mere drama. Even one of the other guys in Top Shot says on his blog that everything you see about Jake is unfortunately real. Not to mention that although the drama may be played up on TV, it’s quite obvious that the tension with the other players, who all seem like pretty down to earth guys, is very real.

Somebody who understands what the execs aim to do. There is a reason Jake is that way. But as someone who knows him personally, he is always going to be Jake and what you see is what you get. He works hard and he plays to win. However that may come across to others, it’s the way of life and survival. No better friend, no worst enemy.

Oh dear god please let it be jake!!! After watching Sept. 27ths episode and him saying he would rather eliminate the strong players and would rather go out with a weak player is just ridiculous!!! Does he have no balls? Or self humiliation? He just annoys the F**K out of me, when im watching this either online or t.v I mute it when he’s talking cause i cant handle his grade school bitchy drama. When he said he would rather get rid of the other competitors by getting under their skin and having them leave on technicality just shows and proves that he should DEFIANTLY be the ‘top shot douche bag’. If he was truly a SEAL wouldn’t he show humility respect, and honor for his fellow players? He’s a horrible sore winner and brags about it to everyone when he does slightly better than the rest and has to make it apparent every time its annoying and stupid he needs to get eliminated soon and made top shot douche bag

This Jake guy is a piece of garbage,poor sportsmanship and a little bitch big Mike woulda stomped his ass,you know this guys a BIG PUSSY when he wants to go against the weakest shooter and not the strongest that just shows what kind of a sportsman he is….And actually he’s not a sportsman and far from it…..and i hope his family is embaressed and ashamed, I truley hope this dickhead looses to the worst shooter also i highly doubt this prick was a seal…wait he worked @ sea world feeding the seals????I actually think this scumbag Jake is king”DOUCHE BAG” of all seasons of top shot. 1,2 & 3..one of my friends who is actually a seal said he probubly lost his job and the more contriversial he is the better chance he’ll land a job???who would give this clown the time of day…I think we all hope no one or mabey the local S.P.C.A. needs somone to clean the dog shit outta the kennels….???

I feel sorry for his family, esp. if he has kids. Not too much of a stretch of the imagination that he probably runs his house by intimidation, being the big little man that he is. Especially after he made the comment about what an “achiever” Atilla the Hun was. I hope they keep the guns locked up at night on the set.

Jeff, I hope I’m wrong and that you’re right. Perhaps I’m over-reaching by making assertions about his personal life based on the show, but it’s also pretty obvious that his douchiness is not just an act either, and that the other guys on the show are quite put off by him. So if he’s 180 degrees different in his own house, well good for him. Just hard for me to believe that he can turn his douchebaggery on and off at will.

I love top shot because of the sportsmanship, i hated george last season until he took a humility pill and i respect the person he is because of it, jake is a whiney little girl, i have numerous friends and family in the service and spec ops and none of them act like hime and it is dusgusting, jake zweig, you have embarrassed yourself your family and god

I totally agree. I read somewhere above that George missed those shots because he was so cocky. He was and probably still is cocky but he is a super shot and it was obvious he missed on purpose. I despised George until the last show and then i had to rethink everything about him. At least George was a good guy with a good heart and did competed in a professional manner. This Jake is such an asshole. He is bossy and such a child. He walks around the house with his pants unzipped and his belt undone searching the cabinets for food. His posture is atrocious and he appears and
carries himself so unlike a man in the service much less a Navy Seal. I just hope the red team wins (even though I think they all go to green team next week) and either way they keep sending Jake to elimination until he gets kicked off. I hope they tell him he has bent sent to elimination because hes such a sorry human being.

I agree that George was cocky last season but he was that good and could be cocky. He never belittled others like Jake does and I think I have read where he only served a year in the SEALS because he couldn’t handle it. The thing that scares me the most is he it a football coach!!! IF that is true. My dream would be for TOP SHOT to bring back George and let him handle Jake…yeah let’s try that on one for size dude. It would be terrific to watch.

Lets face it, whatever Jakes attitude and strategy is, it is definitely reaching viewers on a more emotional level than would otherwise be the case. I imagine some would like to reach through the screen and wring his neck. His win at any cost ethos is, to some extent, encouraged in SEAL training, albeit, with a team spin on it. Personally, I don’t enjoy seeing it played out on a show about marksmanship. Let your performance do the talking is how a mature operator/sportsman would normally behave. SEAL training, like all things in life, cannot account for the actions of all of its members all of the time. There is always a bottom 10% in terms of skill or character in any group or organization. Honor their military service, but remain mindful that at the end of the day they are just people with the same shortcomings and imperfections we all share. Rest assured that not everyone in that community is particularly happy with Jakes high profile on the show, but no former teammates will ever step forward and frag one of their own in public. Recognize that not all of what your seeing is the entire truth either. Its a TV show with a cash prize for being a TOP SHOT not a contest for BEST PERSONALITY. Whether Jake ultimately wins or loses isn’t really that important. What is important is that he did it in a way that most of us would not and that will always taint his achievement on this show. Just my two cents.

Spot on. Like the guys said to Jake on the show; Top Shot ISN’T the SEALs; it’s competitive to be sure, but it also has an element of sportsmanship. What a contrast to watch the elimination between Chris and Cliff where they were both very humble and Chris actually felt bad about eliminating Cliff.

Good point, I guess it is his choice if he squanders his 15 minutes of fame. I’m betting that no matter how far he goes in the competition or how impressive any of his marksmanship skill may be, he will always be remembered as the ‘whiney little asshole’ from Season 3!

I would like to say that I do appreciate our members of the armed forces. I am tired, however, of that being the excuse for guys being complete douchbags like Jake. Jake is a douchebag who served. He isnt serving anymore, so hes a douchebag who doesnt serve.

I so agree!! I read in one place that the SEALS dropped him for his…you guessed it attitude!!! And I think next week he is going to play his all favorite race card like he did in the SEAL training. And seeing him out done by Justin in the sniper gun round was awesome!!! He was smiling ear to ear when he made it in one shot and then Justin did it better and he got all pissed off.

He is a little boy who never got the attention he deserved from mommy and daddy unless he threw a fit in the process. Either that or spoiled child..

Its GOTTA be Jake. I mean the guy started sleeping outside and now he can’t finish a complete sentence without getting bleeped. And admit it everyone, from the very first episode we all kinda had a gut feeling that this’d be our guy. AND he can’t get over the fact that he’s been sent to elimination challenge. Guys like him are the reason that people who serve are known as being dickheads.

Jake WAS a Navy SEAL and even more a commissioned Officer, Jake I hope you read this from a Marine Gunnery Sergeant, you are the kind of Officer that needs a strong Chief Petty Officer or Senior Marine Staff NCO to put back into place. Your behavior not only embarasses the SEALS you represent but all Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who are serving, who have served and even worse you influence those who are considering serving. Why don’t you take the chip off your shoulder, set the example you’ve been trained to set and act like a respectable human being at the very least and at the most act like you have some glint of sportsmanship like behavior, goating fights, quitting your team intentionally throwing a pratice with the bow to get your team to underestimate you is disgraceful. I would rather be on my own than have you for an ally or team mate you are selfish, unpredictable and not dependable, and I am a real world operator and dont give 2 craps what you have done in theatre 10 years ago what are you doing now is what matters nad now you are acting like historys top duchebag!

Gunny, I bet he quit the Seals/Navy before that ever had the chance to happen…either that or that WAS the reason why he is no longer a Seal. When I was serving, I would always try to take these young officers, especially the more challenging ones, and give them some direction. If their attitude persisted, I would purposely let them sink or swim (in a training environment of course)…. they mostly sink. If they take it to heart they would always come to the Senior NCO’s and say something to the effect “Now I see what you mean” and then openly take direction. (Some of them turned out to be some of the best officers I served with.) If they were stubborn, they would ask for reassignment (win-win in my book). I had one young Lieutenant ask for reassignment from artillery to quartermaster. Jake’s whiney stubborness reminds me of that guy.

Gary Quesenberry and I served together, we once endured one of our Battery Commanders getting relieved of command, so I was not surprised when Gary calmly called out Jake for his gamesmanship tactics. It is not Gary’s first rodeo with a rotten apple of an officer. Jake proved that he is the most douche worthy of season 3…that is including the fact that Michael stripped his mother in front of Howard Stern for $5000!

Man, I like to give people a second chance, because lord knows I’ve needed a few, but after seeing that last one I’ve lost ability to hold out Jake will turn himself around. That was hard to watch.

There’s definitely some other really great guys on that show though. I think when the big guy was yelling at Jake you could see if you watch it real quick him look to the other guys, like are those cameras rolling, they confirm yes, and then you see his shoulders sag like OK I’ll just take it then LOL. I was AMAZED he kept his cool as long as he did. I thought he did a great job trying to be decent for a long time. So would just like to commend someone for behaving respectably rather than only idiocy.

Jake once again offers his bravado in a way that no only makes him look like a douche bag, but an asshole. John Smith, you’re right he’s an asshole. And when I think about this I’m reminded of the speech about dicks, pussies, and assholes on Team America.

What happened to Top Shot Season 3?! I have enjoyed both seasons of Top Shot till now. With Jake being in the cast, I feel like I’m watching some hyped up drama reality show from MTV rather than Top Shot from History Channel. His behavior is utterly embarrassing. He is the worst representative of a Seal or for that matter, any military personnel. I like to think that we are our brother’s keeper. Look out for the team and men that stand beside you.
Jake had said “…honestly I’m not sure Top Shot has seen a competitor like me, the first two seasons i think have been gentlemen shows and then they put a commander like me on this and brought a whole different edge to the competition.” I preferred the so called “gentlemen shows” if that means sportsmanship attitude, honor, and dignity is being displayed. A team leader should build his team up with encouragement.

I just watched his audition interview and well he called it from the start there has to be someone the audiance loves and someone they hate and he is willing to do either to help ratings and get to the top…congrats Jake you did it unfortunatly you took the low road. Maybe the History channel should put in a special award into the competition like Marines at formal career level schools have called the Gung-Ho award given to the Marine or in this case the competetor who best represents the selfless qualities of a leader, mentor, teacher, role model to the others. What do you all think maybe let that person pick a charity to make a donation to?

Jake certainly belongs on this page of douche bags. I agree that his service as a seal seems questionable. But even the Navy can make an error in judgement once in a while. Jake if you read this and can understand what people are saying about you and the way you act the Navy is glad you are playing coach now and not soldiering. I feel for the players you coach.

Jake put the exclamation point on his character this past episode. Now they are getting the green shirts…it will be time for ol’ Jakey to put up or shut up (i.e. be eliminated)! He revealed that his character truly does not match any special ops guy that I have ever met.

If Jake doesn’t win “Top Douchebag” then what IS the purpose of this “honor”? Jake absolutely embodies douchebaggery in all its douchiest forms; he is a douches’ douche! George was a douche, to be sure, but he had an eleventh hour reprieve with his blatantly missing the target. For Jake there will be no such reprieve, no turning back. Was he born a douche or did circumstances in his life turn him into the diminutive, angry douche we all know and loathe? Perhaps we will never know and, certainly, many of us do not care. After all, he’s a douche — who gives a damn?

By the way, hat’s off to Jake for having served his country. This does not subtract, however, from his over-all doucheness.

i can tell im heavilly out numbered here but i still think mike marelli was the biggest douche on the show. i personally thought the biggest douche on season 2 was jay lim. i thought george was an asshole but not as bad as jay lim. this is similar again this season. jake is clearly an asshole and i couldnt believe he was still bitchin about being sent to elimination 2-3 shows ago. part of me thinks its his way of getting into the other guys heads or some kind of strategy to make the res of the house fear him. but u can tell on his audition tape that he wanted to be the most hated guy on the show and so far he seems to have suceeded. but the bottom line is so far he has backed up his shit talking with some pretty good shooting. thats something marelli didnt do once on the show.

Marelli was a douche, but a lot of that just seemed to be his schtick. According to one of the other Top Shot guys blog, Marelli was actually a likeable guy, and he seemed nice enough. Whereas with Jake, the doucheiness is baked in; not just a veneer. Yes, he is definitely a more talented shooter than Marelli, but in my opinion, shooting talent or lack thereof does not a douchebag make.

Mike,
I totally agree. I thought Jay was the biggest douche. Would not listen to anyone about how he could improve, and was a horrible team player. I also believe Mike was the worst in this season, he was terrible at challenges, the only thing he could shoot off was his mouth. He even lied about his performance in one of the earliest episodes. I forget what the challenge was, but he had three rounds along with a couple others on his team and hit less than people with two rounds. When they talked about who to send he says something like I shot as many as anyone, but really only as many as the ones who shot twice. This guy thought he was great and couldn’t stand up to the pressure when it counted.

What about that Jake. What a douche. After serving in the 101st Airborne, I can say with all confidence: Airborne, Seals, Rangers, etc. builds humble confidence, not douchebag arrogance. I have my doubts Jake served as a Seal. The dynamics of the show has always seemed to eliminate the “DB” from winning. Let’s hope the same happens to Jake.

This shit is comedy. Jake is hilarious, and he is a competitor. Funny is many of the comments are coming from people are watching the show not on the show. Maybe Jake isn’t America’s pick as “nicest” top shot competitor, but there seem to be more whiney bitches leaving comments while he is actually competing. Watch the bios again and he states that somebody has to be hated and I PROMISE he is loving every bit of the hate he is getting. It makes him stronger. Roo to the good bruhs! LMAO.

Jakes not leaving – trust me on that one. He’s using every tactic he can to get into the heads of his competitors. Making them think he can’t handle the pressure ..blah blah blah. Do you really believe that someone who loves to be hated so much will crumble under pressure? It’s the shows way of ending things with a “?” to get you to come back and watch next week.

What’s funny is that you feel the need to defend him against the “whiney bitches” on this blog. He’s the one who’s put his face out there for the world to see with the attitude to go along with it. If people want to throw verbal eggs at him, then so be it. Let him bask in the dislike which he so richly deserves and seems to crave. If that’s what “makes him stronger”, that’s pathetic.

People do feed on adversity – while others crumble under it’s weight. And while you may think that Jakes response to adversity by using it as a fuel to feed his fire as being pathetic, what do you call someone who become immobile, frozen and quits under the light of “dislike”? You know that people take their own lives under such pressure. What do you call them? Pathetic as well? Or is there a more eloquent word to describe their “quit” mentality?

Lauren, I think it’s one thing to overcome adversity — a guy without arms learning how to play guitar with his feet, for example; yada, yada, yada. It’s quite another thing to manufacture that “adversity” by your own actions and then whine about things when they don’t go your way. It is indeed tragic when people in adverse circumstances take their own lives because their spirit is broken, but pathetic to liken Jake to some unsung warrior triumphantly overcoming his “adversity.”

Tim, both are examples of overcoming adversity. Reality is that Jake was put up on the chopping block when he wasn’t the weakest during that competition. The current method by which fellow team members vote for the weakest person is flawed – because rarely if at all do the weakest go up against each other. I believe the system should be computerized and thus more objective.
Therefore, the fact that Jake was put up for elimination when he shouldn’t have been is 100% personal. There is no other way to interpret it. It’s not a mistake, it was strategic as part of the game.
Tim – this is a game. More importantly, it’s a competition. The goal is to win within the confines of the rules of the game. Jake is doing that. You may not agree with his methods, but he’s not doing anything wrong within the rules of competition.
If this is a true sportsman’s game/match/competition there should be no elimination challenge – because the person who competed the worst should walk off the game in a manly, gracious sportsman’s like way, instead of trying to go into elimination to try and stay in the competition when they know they didn’t perform well enough to stay there. Does that happen? Hell no!!! $100,000 is on the line and as far as I can tell no one on the show is an idiot so no one is going to do the “right” thing and walk away if they performed below the high standards of top shot.
Personally, I feel there is something more than just Jake being “douche-bag” like – his attitude is horrible – that’s a no brainer – but to hate him that much for his attitude seems a bit much.
I love his approach and killer instinct. That is what a competition is all about. More importantly, what I look for is how he handles himself when someone looses. Does Jake congratulate the winner and console the looser with a handshake and a hug? The answer – yes. He shook mikes hand and gave him a hug after he left the show. He’s playing the game, and he’s doing a good job at it.

Lauren, I don’t “hate” Jake, not on the gut level anyway. I hold him in derision for being a douche, plain and simple. What you see as merits of playing the game, I see as being a douche. I think the biggest contradiction was how he reacted to being voted for elimination. Yes, it was personal, but so what? Shouldn’t he welcome that as part of his “feeding on adversity?” Besides, he won a $2,000 gift certificate out of it. Seems like the other guys can’t stand him, and who can blame them for wanting him out of their hair? He acts like a douche, and then whines about the results of his own actions.

Again, humorous. I think people are getting too wrapped up in the the way he is in a sense manipulating his competition. He broke Mike in their in house altercation and then Mike broke against Gary. He’s playing this for what it is… A COMPETITION. Perhaps I am a little biased b/c I do know him. However, when $100K is on the line, you’re supposed to be the nice guy? Hell no. You do what you can to win. He’s not cheating, and maybe his methods are unorthodox, but he came with a game plan and is carrying it out to the T. I don’t think he’ll leave next week. I think he’s setting the field just the way he wants it.

Jeff, just as I know Gary you know Jake. So I guess our friends represent the two ways this game can be played, either like a sporting competition or a cut throat game like Survivor. I think most of the contestants in this game get into it a la a sporting competition. The issue here is then sportsmanship vs. gamesmanship. I think our two friends calmly demonstrated that in about episode 8. They laid both of their points of view right out there. It is just that because the rest of the house shared Gary’s point of view that they attack Jake for his gamesmanship. It doesn’t make me ‘like’ Jake any for that, as I think more like Gary. The prise of $100,000 is not that much of a ‘game changer’ in my book….Survivor gives out 10 times that every season (and the ‘pay’ the ‘jurors’. I guess you could consider Top Shot the minimum wage of reality TV jobs (or the whole entertainment business to include professional sports)…not worth it to compromise integrity, pride, and the true spirit of any sporting competition.

The producers of these shows purposely pick guys like Zweig to get on the show to stir up the drama. The proof is in the pudding as evidenced by the audition tape and how he has carried himself from week to week thus far. I think of him as a plant or a red herring. They want to broaden the viewership from just the ‘gun nuts’ that watch it. It works too, as evidenced by spouses now getting into the show (to include my own). I guarantee you that if it weren’t for the ‘high drama’ she (or I bet other spouses) would not be watching it.

That being said, what will that do for future seasons of Top Shot not only in the quality of the contestants, but the viewer base? This tactic threatens to trade quality of character for ratings. Based on some of these comments, I see some Top Shot faithful waning in their interest in the show. In the future I wonder how many true competitors that want to get into it not for the money, but rather for the true test of their abilities might shy away from the competition because they don’t want to be Hollywood. (I wonder how many current competitors are thinking the same thing?) When we were in basic training the drill sergeants would have dubbed a guy like Jake with that moniker in about 1.8 seconds or as fast as Dustin engaged his target over Jake’s time this week! :)

Since you know the negative stereotype whiny bitch how about you get the fuck out of this forum because this isn’t a place where you belong. Ya sure this is a competition but he has no sportsmanship self humiliation or dignity. With him stating he wants to go against the weakest player shows he has no balls and doesn’t want to prove himself the strongest man just a bully(who obviously pulls and abuses the race card) so get off the forum and go somewhere where they will care your friends with him, which will most likely be hard

The producers of the program should be beyond ashamed as to what they’ve allowed through their front door regarding this stench-ridden, worthless, ruthless, vicious punk pos Zweig. Typical negro. If there was ever any validity to the show, they’ve destroyed what little they have. If I were an advertiser I would have permanently pulled my ads.

And also, who are the producers of the show? Why are their names conspicuously absent? That’s a rhetorical question. History Channel in toto have really taken a hit from at least myself alone, I hope others have the responsibility to do the same.

Of course we’re appalled. Frankly worse is the term “TYPICAL negro.” That’s racial stereotyping right there. But it’s one more stupidity on a whole comment thread full of stupidity. Casting aspersions on Jake’s service because he’s a jerk? Saying he wasn’t a SEAL at all when it’s a very well established fact?

I’ll touch that one Lauren and I don’t need a 10 foot pole to do it with, I’ll use my finger, lol. Negro was the prefered term for Black Americans for decades and never had a negative connotation until members of the black community decided they wanted to use a different term to identify with. If it were truely offensive than the “United Negro College Fund” would change their name.

Personally, I prefer James Brown’s definative term, “Say it Loud, I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD.”. As some one who used to have come to my sisters aid by beating up the local bullies,(at times when my twin and I were outnumberd we ended up getting the worst of it), for calling her the “N” word because she was a dark skinned latina, I have never took offense to just being black. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with being black in America and people need to remember that you don’t have to trace your lineage back to Africa to be targeted by racists for being “black”. For many of us it’s simply a mater of color and not national origin that puts the target on our back. If there is a term we should empower, let’s empower being black, not being “N” words or any other term used to descride people of color.

Some day in the not to distant future this will be a non issue; I see alot of hope in future generations. My daughters generation does not see race the way our parents did, I really believe we are getting close to living Dr. Kings dream. There will always be small pockets of people who will be racist, but they are in the minority now and continue to shrink in numbers. We just need to be wary that as things improve we don’t end up becoming the thing we hate and ultimately that requires us to forgive those who have wronged us and eventually abandon racially motivated ideology and policy.

So, as I step of my soap box I’ll leave you with this last quip, “Negro Please”.

This week’s episode sucked for me as I didn’t want either of those two to be on the block. Sucks that Jake got his way and sent a good shooter and decent person home.

Is he really leaving next week? I hope to high hell he’s not pulling some race card bs and saying people are treating him bad bc of something like that. I hope he’s just walking bc he can’t take it. Sad to see the other guy go, maybe he gets to come back…

I have a suspicion that he is NOT leaving and that Colby is coming in to tell them to play nice…sportsmanship….spirit of the game speech. Basically the ‘official’ sermon from the top that will encapsulate both sides of gamesmanship that Gary and Jake spoke of two weeks ago. I don’t really Jake will actually quit. If he in fact does quit and blame it on something other than what it really is, it will not only sum up his character but seal the douche bag persona that he displays permanently in the archives of the Hot Shot competition for eternity. Based on the Seal/racial prejudice article posted on this site a while back, nothing will surprise me about Jake’s tactics or his strategy at this point!

I agree, I liked both Gary and Mike. Two of my favorites, along with Dustin, who just plain rocks.

The producers obviously know how unpopular Jake is; it’s pretty obvious to anyone with a brain, even if they didn’t have thousands of people on the Internet telling them so. So they’re teasing him “leaving” to boost ratings.

Bottom line – Top Shot is a competition. The goal of any competition is to WIN. How you win is not the focus. If the goal of this competition was to determine how well someone played the game and award them the winner then by all means, be the best sportsman, the nice guy, and overall agreeable. This is a competition where a winner is determined throughout the course of play by a series of eliminations. As Gary himself said – that “on any given day you can be your best or your worst”. To assume that the eliminated players were always the weakest is absurd – it could simply be that their performance that day was their worst. To think that you are ultimately competing against the best at the end of the competition is obtuse at best.
In any competition, the goal is to play the game within the confines of the rules and use whatever resources at your disposal to gain a competitive advantage to ultimately be victorious.
I can’t speak to Jakes service – but as a SEAL, and some who has served our country, his patriotism, and love for his country are undeniable. His determination to win the competition by getting into the heads of the competitors is just absolutely brilliant. Mike should not have melted like that in the elimination challenge against Gary – especially as a grandmaster. Recall that Gary has should surgery, and took a beating on the 50 cal. and still took out Mike using the same busted up shoulder that had ice on it all day.
Bottom line – Jake got in Mikes head.
If this is in fact a “sportsman’s ship” like challenge – the worst shooter should always go up against the next worst shooter during elimination challenges – which did not always occur. I think there are some serious issues with Top Shot. I don’t believe that teams should vote members to elimination – i think it should be done by a computer. Where completely objective data is used to determine the weakest shooters.
Personally – I hope Jake wins. I’m all for a guy that’s been ostracized by the group, lives outside in a makeshift tent, under immense pressure to perform or else he will be voted off the moment he falls below the cutoff – but still manages to keep it together and perform. That – is mental toughness.

Hate him or love him – the guy can shoot. That’s the bottom line – and by the rules of this game – he is not the weakest shooter, and that’s why he’s still on the show.

Damn, someone who understands how this works! Jake has been carrying his team most of the competition. Glad they are in individual competition now. They need to get with the program. You can call him a douche but he’ll be a douche on his way to the bank. Lol. As a SEAL, Jake knows it pays to be a winner.

After watching the last episode i really don’t think some of the other competitors understand the purpose of the show. As Colby (the host) says that team competitions are over, and the individual portion is now beginning – why did Gary say “it’s great to be on the green team”?
Really? Team? Umm…memo to Gary – team competition is over – it’s individual performance time buddy. Get with the changed format.

Yes Jake can shoot and indeed it is part of this competition, but Jake is also part of another competition and that’s called TOP DOUCHEBAG. So far he looks like he’s going to be a winner of at least one of these competitions.

Suppose he may be, but he may also be the Top Douche with $100K and a couple other opportunities too. Think about it, how many shows are there where the villain doesn’t get something greater? He’s a personality for the show that nobody has seen in the past 2 seasons.

I guarantee that there will be more Jakes in next seasons competition based on the results it has gotten so far this time around. I mean come on, $100,000 was apparently a lot more money to Chris Reid than it was to George Reinas in season 2. I just wonder how many quality competition shooters, out-doors-men, and former quality military shooters this show will draw in the future if they know they will be exposed to Hollywood high drama for a ‘measely’ 100K?

….you will also draw more contestants like Mike Marelli that stripped his ‘GILF’ mother in front of Howard Stern for $5000 (and couldn’t shoot worth spit). The 15-minute types are crawling out of the woodwork already!

So Lauren, was he ostracized by the group as part of his Machiavellian scheme to be the underdog and play psychological games with the other players, or is it because he’s a douchebag? In actual warfare, winning at all costs is a good trait, because the losers get sent home in a body bag, but in the rest of life, there are plenty examples of great competitors that are great sportsmen as well as winners. The two need not be mutually exclusive, as in “nice guys finish last.” Personally, I don’t think Jake being a douchebag is a great strategic advantage for him, but that’s just my opinion. He has great skills, as do the others. I hope a nice guy ends up winning this.

Tim,
I agree. There are plenty other examples where the “winning” at all cost does not apply. However, within the confines of this competition – sorry – so long as your playing the “game” within the confines of the rules and regulations of the game it applies. This isn’t a game about ethical choices – it’s top freakin’ shot, not who’s the most benevolent and beneficent player. Where the person who performs the most good deeds between each shot wins $100,000.
Nice guys who play the game do not winners automatically make. This isn’t a television production where the princess gets the prince and vice versa. Sometimes a winner is crowned who doesn’t look like us, act like us, or make choices we wouldn’t make. Sometimes the guy who works the hardest doesnt get that promotion at work. As long as they didn’t cheat, and played the game fairly within the rules and confines of the competition, i’m ok with that.
Personally, I hope that a nice guy doesn’t win this competition. I hope the person who plays the game the best wins the competition – and usually – that’s who ends of winning in the real world.

Lauren,
While Jake’s behavior overall repulses me, I can sign up for his right to play the game any way he thinks will help him win $100,000 (within the rules of course, and as far as I know he hasn’t broken any). I won’t necessarily down him for gamesmanship. What’s unforgivable, however, is being a liar—about something that had nothing to do with “game play.” In his intro on the first show, he claimed he’d been appointed to the Naval Academy as a freshman in high school (all part of his effort to convince the viewing public of his uncommon awesomeness). That statement is pure fiction (otherwise known as a LIE) and it speaks volumes to me about his character.
No one can even apply or be NOMINATED to the academy as a freshman in high school, MUCH LESS be appointed. I could elaborate with details, but that fundamental fact is unalterable. Athletes are recruited and waivers for entrance exam scores can be waived, but they STILL can’t even apply as a freshman (and the academy doesn’t even scout freshmen athletes). His claim, made purely to impress us lesser mortals, is a gratuitous lie. That statement tells me for a fact that he’s morally deficient. Further, the nature of that lie, together with most of his other behavior, also suggests VERY strongly that he’s got a very fragile ego/inferiority complex that causes him to constantly beat his chest and degrade others (classic behaviors in any psychology textbook). That particular nature of that lie (and other facts from his background) also suggest he’s not very intelligent. First, he didn’t have enough sense (i.e. intelligence) to know that plenty of people watching this show understand the academy application process and that he’d be caught lying. Further red flags on his intellect: 1) Took five years to earn a four year degree at the academy (this is virtually always a result of academic deficiency). 2) News article about him and the SEALS said he was studying law after leaving the Navy. Well, he doesn’t have a law degree so I’m guessing (only a guess, but an educated one) that he flunked out of law school). 3) Unable to string more than three words together when the heat is on without getting bleeped.
The integrity thing is the REAL beef for me though. You don’t need to be a Rhodes Scholar to be a good officer or a good man. You DO, however, have to have integrity. I don’t have much use for liars. Possibly you think his military service somehow mitigates that. As a Marine officer of about 29 years service, I can tell you that his service in the military—especially as an officer—makes his lying worse; WAY worse. INTEGRITY is a non-negotiable requirement for a military officer. I’m not saying I didn’t run across some with an integrity problem during my time in the Corps. I did. I’m just saying it’s a fatal flaw—and Jake has it. Compounding the problem, he’s in the public eye representing not just his service in the military, but service as an OFFICER and as a SEAL—and he’s tarnishing the image. I’m not talking about ruthless tactics (if that’s his excuse for the way he behaves). I’m saying juvenile behavior and dishonesty casts a shadow on his service and you can bet his fellow SEALS are livid. But then again, that’s OK because they’re all racist. After all, Jake said so and we all know Jake is…oh, wait. Jake is a liar.
As to his service automatically qualifying him as a patriot; as a Marine, I honestly appreciate that assumption on your part, but I can assure you, there are those in the military who’s ONLY priority is THEMSELVES and who care very little or not at all about anything else. Mostly, they don’t go very far; neither did Jake by the way, and Jake shows every sign of being one such. Jake’s service, or anyone who served honorably, deserves the presumption that they love their country. That is, until their behavior indicates otherwise. It’s clear to me that Jake loves Jake more than anyone or anything else. He obviously doesn’t embrace or exhibit ANY of the virtues or traits of SELFLESS service, INTEGRITY, and others that were hammered into me in Officer Candidate School. So he’s lost the presumption of being a patriot as far as I’m concerned. I could be wrong. But I had a pretty successful career in the Corps part of which required to capacity to read people—and that’s my read on Jake. If I was going into combat tomorrow, I’d rather have any random boot right out of Parris Island covering my six than Jake the Snake. Jake’s skills are better. But I could trust the PFC.

Gator6,
“gamesmanship” – the art of winning games by using various ploys and tactics to gain a psychological advantage.
Sorry to say this, but Jake in this season of TopShot is the best gamesman so far.

I will however acknowledge that you dislike his tactics, ergo, you also dislike being a “gamesman”. And that’s ok, to each his own. I like my steak a little rare. Some actually like it well done. To each his own.

As for being a sportsman, Michael Marelli lied about the number of shot’s took and his performance. Anyone who voted to have Jake eliminated when he wasn’t the worst performer (even if its was 3 episodes ago) were not being good sportsmen. That’s a fact.
“sportsman” – fair and generous in one’s behavior or treatment of others, esp. in a game or contest.
Fair would be not to vote someone to elimination when you know they were not deserving of the vote. How come I don’t hear anyone discussing that aspect? Or do the rules not apply when to everyone else in the competition or doest it only apply to Jake?
We see what we want to see – perception is our reality.

From a purely objective perspective of the definition of “sportsman” and “gamesmanship”, Jake has demonstrated great gamesmanship in the way he plays the game, and is also a great sportsman – by being fair and transparent in his approach (he has said many times – I am going to get rid of all the strongest players) he is a great sportsman.

I have said this before, there is something more that is causing such a strong reaction against Jake. It can’t’ be his sportsmanship, because from the definition of the word, he has been fair to his word – he wants to vote the strongest out, but if everyone wants to votes the weakest, he firmly believes those who are truly the weakest in the last performance should go. Everyone else doesn’t believe that – thus they are not good sportsmen. He is also a great gamesman, as demonstrated by his use of various psychological ploys to get in to the head of Mike.

So really, what is it about Jake that you don’t like, can’t be his gamesmanship or his sportsmanship. So what is it this time?

Sorry, Lauren, you’re wrong about his sportsmanship. Part of sportsmanship is playing the game as intended. Top Shot is a marksmanship challenge, not a political game.

Sportsmanship also requires that one be courteous and respectful to all participants at all times, which Jake has not been. He didn’t even respect his own teammates from the very first episode. Sportsmanship, and life, also require you to behave like a decent human being at all times, and Jake has not done so. He has been willing to sacrifice sportsmanship, respect, decency, and courtesy in the interests of winning. We call that ruthless, and it is generally not regarded as a virtue. It also indicates that Jake values victory over sportsmanship, respect, decency, and coutesy, which is not to his credit as a former Naval officer or as a human being.

You have said that at the end of the day, it’s about winning. Well, for Jake it may be. For you it may be. But most of us are not willing to sacrifice our humanity or other people on the altar of victory at any cost.

Sorry, Jake is not a good sportsman. Win fair or lose. Those are the only options for a gentleman.

Kardinal,
I respectfully submit that what you see as ruthless, I call “passionate”. Jake plays the game with passion.
I don’t believe Jake has “sacrificed” his humanity – that’s a bit much.

And while I think you would like to think that Top Shot is not a political game, the fact that team members vote for the poorest performer in the absence of objective concrete evidence make it virtually 100% political. I know, it sucks to hear that, but sometimes the cards fall like that.

Jake is a sportsman, and he’s playing the game passionately and fairly within the confines of the rules and regulations of the competition. Gentleman are always passionate about what they do.

Lauren I must say with all due respect you gotta be out your Mind!!! How can you say this “BOZO” Jake has sportsmanship or Passionate??? You gotta be his Wife or Lover to stand up for this Dude ??? My Man Jake is a Clown he went out like a Real “SUCKER” … As far as I’m concern he act Like Gangster and went out like Bitch!!! So please get off his Jock and Fall Back!!! You write real intelligent but you are Lost in the Sauce … As far as Jake is concern he’s a Coward and a Disgrace to the Navy Seals … Jake my Man you lost your Manhood on National TV!!! Lame Homie…

Lauren,
You asked me: “So really, what is it about Jake that you don’t like, can’t be his gamesmanship or his sportsmanship. So what is it this time?”

Uhh, Lauren, if you seriously don’t know what my problem with Jake is, please read my post again. I very clearly stated that my problem with Jake is that he’s a LIAR. And just in case you grant dispensation for lies told as part of the game, I also clearly stated that my problem was the lie he told to us viewers–that had nothing to do with the game—when he claimed in his introduction that he’d been appointed to the Naval Academy as a freshman in high school. As I said in my post, that claim is pure fiction; not possible; didn’t happen.

You really don’t know what my problem with Jake is “this time”? This time and every time, it’s exactly what I said in my post. How do I make it any clearer? It’s integrity; I-N-T-E-G-R-I-T-Y. Did you really miss that? Or is it possible that you don’t see a problem with a completely gratuitous and unnecessary lie; told only to try to impress us, the viewing audience, with how extra special awesome he is. That he lied is a simple fact. That it indicates to me (and others) that he craves attention stemming from some kind of infantile inferiority complex is my opinion only, but a pretty educated one. I can assure you, I never saw ANY of the special ops guys I knew or worked with ever brag or pound their chests. They had a range of personalities, but not one of them was a braggart. They had way too much confidence in themselves. They didn’t really care what others thought. They knew their measure and didn’t need to convince anyone else of it. For some reason, Jake does, not to psyche out the opposition, but to impress US, the public.

But back to integrity. It’s a foundational trait for a military officer or special operator because goes directly to trust. It might be an outdated concept but many of us still value it. Success or failure, sometimes life or death, can hinge on whether others know that they can TRUST the word of an officer (to say nothing of a special ops officer). Jake was taught the honor code as a midshipman, yet goes and tells a whopper about something as trivial as his academy appointment. Really!? If he trades his integrity so needlessly for something that inconsequential, do you think he might lie about anything else? Do you think it’s possible when he accused the SEALS (as a WHOLE) of being racist that maybe, just maybe, the TRUTH was that his shipmates in the teams just refused to put up with his cheap, “me first” behavior anymore? The answer to that one is pure speculation. But since we’ve established the undeniable fact that Jake’s a liar, and because I’ve had some association with SEALS during my career, and one or two “Jake” type personalities, I know what I choose to believe. I could give a CRAP about how Jake plays the Top Shot “game.” As an officer of Marines, my issue with Jake is WAY more important than that.

If Jake competes as a private citizen than what you say may hold some water. However, when he puts his credentials as a SEAL and a Navy Officer out front than there are very particular character traits that the average citizen, especially veterans, and in particular other military officers, expect him to exhibit; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrty and Personal Courage. If he did not want to uphold these values during the competition than he should have entered the competition without disclosing his military pedigree. Jake gets the ire of many of the poeple posting this blog because he represents something larger than himself and unfortunately does not demonstrate the best virtues and values of the single most respected proffesion in the nation.

I hope this helps you to understand why we do not right Jake a blank check to be an ass on a national stage for the sake of employing controversial tactics in order to win 100,000 dollars.

As a side note, you should know that while an officer in the military may end their active service they are still officers for the rest of their lives; Jake will always be a Lieutenant and SEAL in the US Navy and the nation can call him back to service in the most extreme of circumstances.

Actually, once an officer’s contractual obligation is done (usually 4 years), he can resign at any time and can NOT be called back up. Sometimes officers and enlisted personnel are placed on what’s called IRR (Inactive Ready Reserve) for X number of years after they leave the service, but it is HIGHLY unlikely that they would get recalled into active duty. But once an officer leaves the service, he is no longer an officer and has no officer benefits, UNLESS he retires or is medically retired. For example, I was injured on-duty and medically retired and as a result, I retain the legal title, and benefits of, Captain. I can even wear my uniform in public (ex-soldiers are not allowed to wear the uniform once they are out) – although I doubt it fits anymore..lol

I’ve seen some WWII vets that were allowed to wear their uniforms at some official functions, but it had to be their actual uniforms from the war, no new-purchase replicas. These guys weren’t retirees, maybe they were allowed because of their decorations or something, I’m not sure. I’ve seen a few Medal of Honor winners in WWII uniform. Not only will I give them major props for their obvious contributions to the war effort, I’ll give huge kudos to anybody who can wear their uniform from 60 years ago. I got out after 6 years as an enlisted E-5. As for wearing my uniform from 20 years ago: forget about it! I’d have to go on the biggest crash-diet ever.

Uniform fit aside, if you take a commission your name is in a federal registry. In the unlikely event that American forces take a huge hit and there are not enough members in the IRR to meet the troop demands in the operational force after TRADOC and other organizational commands are depleeted of all available personnel to meet immediate mission requirements, Uncle Sam can knock on your door. You’re correct on the finer points of how resigning a commission vs. retirement relinquishes a person of certain benefits but to Uncle Sam you will always be some one who is trained an capable to lead quicker than training up some one fresh off the street.

This is especially true of some of the more exceptionally specialized personnel in the military that are extremely dificult to replace, many of whom were asked to come back well after their time had been served in the IRR; the difference being they are asked, not ordered.

Lauren,
I never saw anything from you on my reply to your question about what my problem is with Jake. To reiterate, it’s the integrity thing; telling lies just to impress (i.e. pump up his own ego) and accusing the SEALS–AS A WHOLE–of being racist. You’ll recall that while I didn’t like Jake’s game tactics (if that’s what they were, as opposed to him just naturally being Jake), I didn’t deny his right to use those tactics. Still, your defense of Jake never addressed his dishonesty OUTSIDE the “game.” So, I’m really wondering if you see no fundamental problem with a guy with his supposed credentials telling a silly lie that served no purpose other than trying to impress us who were watching the show–and whoever else he’s laid that one on before. (For the benefit of others not familiar, I’m referring to his laughable claim to have received an appointment to the Naval Academy when he was a freshman in high school).

Those things, now taken in the context of his getting his little feelings hurt and walking, just make me wonder what your thoughts are–and those of Jeff, his other defender. On the first episode I knew he was a liar (a fact not subject to denial). And I saw him (OPINION HERE) as an egomaniac and bully, congenitally unable to cope with, much less take responsibility for any situation that doesn’t go exactly his way; the kind of officer who gets relieved of duty if his superiors see him for what he is before he can ruin his unit. OR, who gets fragged because the troops very quickly know him for what he is.

Jack if a very poor sportsman. I could imagine how he must treat his students if he acts the way he does on the show. Does that give me a bad taste in my mouth for black people. Heck no, I know plenty of super black folks who are great. I don’t know many that are jerks like him either. Arrogant, self serving, whining, a victim at every turn. Now I presume he is playing the race card. Let me tell you if I were on the show I would vote for him every time to try and get rid of him. Why be in a miserable environment. It will be a shame if the show steps in and chastises the group and does not call him on the carpet for how he treated Mike in the last episode. He is classless and I don’t think that has character. My wife has a great point, does sportsmanship count for nothing. That should be a measure of the show as well. We enjoy watching the competition but I will be honest if the show does reel him in I will be glad to turn it off until the next group comes in. Oh, and I am sick and tired of the race card. He is not old enough to have suffered racism anymore that a Latino, Jew, Asian or a white person has. You know racism is not one sided. Everyone is prejudice somehow. The big question does it affect how you deal with others. I would maybe think Jake is really the one that is racist.

Hmm I am a bit excited to see what will happen in the next episode. I’m really sad that Mike had to go. Honestly, the only 2 I was rooting for was him and Dustin. It was kinda messed up that even one of the Blue team members voted for Mike and agreed with Jake’s strategy. Sorta feels like season 1 when Adam Benson was conspiring against the pro’s on their team.

Patrick,
I like Dustin too. He’s a good ole christian boy. I like his laid back personality.
He plays a great game – everyone doesn’t know his true potential. He cooly comes up to the 50 cal and clips a shot in 8+ seconds. That’s cold blooded. Ice cold.
I like him in the finals as well.

Gator6, I agree
It is a shame that this Y generation school of thought crap has taken over. Gunny and a few others will understand. I guess it is to much for some of the others to understand. Some have made comments about the purpose is to win I agree but winning without honor is not winning. In regards to drama set up by the show for the viewers that only makes it worse, that means he sold not only his own honor but also that of his unit. Now some of you will say that sportsmanship, honor whatever you want to call it does not matte,r he’s got the money. Those are the same people we can blame for the way things are in the world today so when you complain about things that do not go your way or when you are treated unfairly remember this. Someone said that these were traits of a true solider, well your wrong the traits displayed by Jake would get men killed. Some of you confirmed that he was a SEAL, I have no reason to doubt you, he has brought shame to a respected unit. I would expect he was pushed in some way to leave the SEALS. If I had a former team member act as he has, especially in the public view like this we would have a meeting. Now some of you will say well he is on the show you are not. This is true and I enjoy some of the shows, but I could care less about throwing rocks, shooting arrows oe throwing knives not my thing. That being said I have shot against some of the contestents and preformed as well if not better. You have to remember they do not seek out the best per say they solicit, are they good marksman yes, are they the best in the US. doubtfull. Now it was said how good of a marksman Jake was, well as far as the firearms part ( I do not watch the other matches) he really is not that great, good, not great. In regards to him coaching, he would not have a job were I live, but that aside are these the traits you want passed on to our youth? I am sure many will disagree with me. But what bothers me most is this is the world that I will pass on to my children and grandchildren.
Sgt. Mike

Sgt. Mike,
I agree – there are things more important that winning. It’s how you play the game. So long as you play fairly, play as hard as you can, even if you loose, you tried your best. You have much to be proud of in absence of a trophy and $$$.
Well said.

I know people who use Jake’s rationale to get promoted at work. They rationalize it with “It’s a dog eat dog world”, “You gotta do what’s right for you, everybody does it”, and “Hate the game, not the player”. I’d rather be a mid-level working stiff my whole life than get promoted up the chain by lying, cheating, and screwing people over. Rationalize all you want, but there’s one person you can’t lie to–yourself. For all the detractors out there, if you want to be a dirtball for the sake of short-term gain that really doesn’t matter in life, knock yourself out. Being honorable and doing what’s right sure beats being a little weasel who lives in a mansion (and no, I don’t have a problem with people who get there honorably and do what’s right).

Dear Sirs, we have taken offense to the actions of Mr. Jake Zweig due to his assertion that his tactics as demonstrated in the television show “Top Shot” are reflective of today’s Armed Forces. Nothing is further from the truth, as stated in the Navy’s own “Rocks and Shoals” and “The Uniform Code of Military Justice”, Article 1 “The commanders of all fleets, squadrons, naval stations, and vessels belonging to the Navy are required to show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination; to be vigilant in inspecting the conduct of all persons who are placed under their command; to guard against and suppress all dissolute and immoral practices; and to correct, according to the laws and regulations of the Navy, all persons who are guilty of them; and any such commander who offends against this article shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

Folks seriously if anyone whinks that what is blogged about now has any effect on the show you are delusional, The show is already in the can, it’s not like we are watching it live. I posted before saying I think that Jake is the shoo in simply because of his unsportsman like conduct and I agree that as a Naval Officer he should act more appropriatly, But I also understand the gamership aspect but as Colby has said a few times recently this competition is to determine the TOP SHOT not the TOP gamer I do not think this is an event where you should be gaming the game it should be compteted with the honor and dignity that we should expect from sportsmen and women.

Gunny,
I think to determine Top Shot they need to have a computer with pre-defined metrics that is measured while the shoot is on the course to determine the worst shooter. Also, each competitor must have multiple chances during each course over a period of days – as Gary pointed out “on any given day a shooter can be his worst or his best”. So there has to be some statistically significant method to adjust for this confounding factor in an effort to objectively determine the Top Shot.
Just my $0.02

Here is Jake’s coach bio from U of New Hampshire (Kinda sounds like he wrote it?!):

Motivational leader, expert in dealing with risk-taking behavior amongst youth, and innovator, Jake Zweig has brought the standards of excellence in training, toughness, teamwork and focus from his former world as a Navy SEAL commando to college football. Mr. Zweig has earned professional success as a naval special warfare officer and an entrepreneur and applies that same intensity and commitment to coaching his players.

Mr. Zweig made an immediate impact in his first season at the University of New Hampshire—boosting the defense to 21st in the nation in sacks, up from 109th the previous year. Now in his second season, Mr. Zweig added special teams assignments to his responsibilities as he continues to mentor the Wildcat defensive line. In addition to his success on the field, Mr. Zweig earned appointments to the University President’s Commission on the Status of Disable People, the President’s Commission on the Status of People of Color and the NCAA’s Football Coaches Academy Class of 2009.

Mr. Zweig came to UNH with a wealth of experience and an impressive record of achievement. His arrival to the Wildcat staff followed one successful season as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Iona College. Prior to Iona, he spent two seasons as the defensive line and special teams coach at the Catholic University of America. While at Catholic, his special teams earned top conference honors in both touchdowns scored and punt return yards. Off the field, Mr. Zweig is a natural recruiter and relates to prospective players and their parents by drawing from his own personal experiences of setting and achieving difficult goals. As a result, he was instrumental in recruiting the largest class in the history of Catholic football. A true mentor to his team, Mr. Zweig charted and executed academic progression plans, identified potential academic problems early, and created incentives for consistent performance. The Catholic team responded with significantly higher grade point averages during Mr. Zweig’s tenure.

Mr. Zweig began his coaching career in 2005 when he joined the University of Maryland staff as a graduate assistant working with the Terrapin wide receivers. A life-long athlete and team leader, Mr. Zweig returned to college athletics following a successful career in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Zweig graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 as a commissioned officer. He served as a surface warfare officer for two years onboard the U.S.S. Merrimack before reporting for Navy SEAL training at Basic Underwater Demolition School. SEAL training is the most grueling and demanding physical and mental regimen in the world and Mr. Zweig not only personally excelled at the challenge, but mentored the other trainees through the program and was named the SEAL class leader. Following his SEAL training, Mr. Zweig reported to SEAL Team 8 in Little Creek, VA and attained the rank of Lieutenant.

Mr. Zweig has earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Academy. His athletic record at the Naval Academy includes playing nose guard for Coach George Chaump, varsity wrestling, and an intensive swimming routine in preparation to be a Navy diver.

A native of Steilacoom, Washington, he attended the Charles Wright Academy of Tacoma where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the 1989 State runner-up football team. He was also a State “A” wrestling champion and a member of the varsity golf team. He is married to the former Sarah Claud of Stony Creek, Virginia. They currently reside in Durham, New Hampshire.

I have no doubt that this is how he sees himself. Considering the horrid way he presented himself on Top Shot, I’ll bet he’s up for review at work. Motivational? Innovator? Add whiner and quitter to that list.

Doing a Google search, Jake has posted this same full-of-shit bio all over the internet. That also says something about his ego and vanity. I don’t doubt the actual dates and places, what I have serious doubts about are his generous sprinklings of words like “motivator” and “innovator” throughout, and phrases like “impressive record of achievement”. I think Jake took his first draft of his written bio to a motivational speaker for proofreading and this bio is the load of shit that resulted.

I’ve noticed one thing that Jake is really good at: claiming things on his bio (and probably resume) that are completely unverifiable so that nobody can check, such as “instrumental in recruiting the largest class in the history of Catholic football” and “the Catholic team responded with significantly higher grade point averages during Mr. Zweig’s tenure.” The only people that can verify this is Catholic’s registrar’s office and they’re not allowed by law to release details of student records.

I’ve seen Jake’s personality type all too often. His resume is written well and is impressive, and he makes a great first impression in the interview. But after being at a job for a while, he becomes a problem child, his serious character deficiencies become apparent, he won’t listen to supervision, and he gets “encouraged” to move along. He left the Navy as a lieutenant and his coaching career dates show that he hasn’t lasted anywhere longer than 2 years. His career moves are not a promotion, they’re all lateral. He’ll probably spend his whole life this way. I feel bad for his wife and kids who have to constantly pack up and leave town because he can’t hold a job.

i agree i think the elimination needs to be tweeked. they post the results of the competition up for the viewers to see why not post up the results for the guys in the house to see. that would cut out guys lying to their team to avoid elimination (marelli u know what u did). this will show who was the weakest shooter and guys who dont vote the weakest shooter will have to explain y they picked who they picked. and not for nothing, all this talk about gamemanship but people forget chris reid, gunny, and joe seemed like nice enough guys yet they were part of the 4 person team who bullied jaime (a pretty good shot) to elimination repeatedly when he didnt deserve to go that many times. this show is kill or be killed and i respect jake that he has made it him against the house instead of using strength of numbers to stay out of elimination

I hate how people are voted into the elimination challenges. Last season showed in technicolor how the voting system can be abused (and by a bunch of apes who have NO business representing the military in any capacity, no less). It should be that the bottom two go to the elimination challenges, no exceptions. Post a big tally on the wall after every challenge with the bottom two highlighted in red.

Voting allows all kinds of abuses to creep in and makes the show only marginally better than survivor and reality-shows of that type.

i agree i think the elimination needs to be tweeked. they post the results of the competition up for the viewers to see why not post up the results for the guys in the house to see. that would cut out guys lying to their team to avoid elimination (marelli u know what u did). this will show who was the weakest shooter and guys who dont vote the weakest shooter will have to explain y they picked who they picked. and not for nothing, all this talk about gamemanship but people forget chris reid, gunny, and joe seemed like nice enough guys yet they were part of the 4 person team who bullied jaime (a pretty good shot) to elimination repeatedly when he didnt deserve to go that many times. this show is kill or be killed and i respect jake that he has made it him against the house instead of using strength of numbers to stay out of elimination.

A respondent by the name of “GATOR6” penned a most accurate missive that I came across which speaks to not only his suspicion but that of mine as well.

While it has now been exactly twenty years since I left the Navy as an O-6, and admittedly a great deal has changed not only within the fleet, but the military as a whole and tragically at that, many things surrounding this raging feral ape simply more than do not add up, delineated as it were by “GATOR6”.
I come back to the aforementioned acknowledgement that many things have tragically changed within the military starting with an across-the-board lowering of standards, decorum – conduct and the like to the point whereby I know that individuals such as this loose cannon Jake are not only today allowed entrance and convey, but commissioned and advanced. It is an unconscionable tragedy.

Welcome to the New American military………..

Still, his pathological bent for open rage, hurling beyond hate-filled invective, his clear megalomaniac nature, all of which speaks to a v. dark persona does not fit into what the Navy look for regardless in anyone regardless of rank and with what I believe is a highly inflated bio, especially knowing the Navy as I do, or did. Regardless, something is woefully not true with this single-helix mutation posing as a supposed human being and I can assure you, my suspicion and that of “GATOR6” is not unfounded.

Jake is beyond a “douchebag”. It seems that every reality type show: Survivor, Amazing Race, Top Shot, etc., has to have the token “angry black” on the show. Jake is not only a angry “douchebag”, he is emotionally unstable and I would not trust being anywhere near this nutcase when he has a weapon in his hand. I seriously think that he just may snap and go homicidal on the other contestants….and the host…RUN COLBY RUN!

I encourage all of you to send an email to the administration office at University of New Hampshire. It is very disturbing to know that someone like Jake is coaching a team of young men. Being a SEAL does not entitle you to such belligerent behavior. Here are email addresses to UNH administration office:

This link goes to another blog that talks about how Mike Hughes’ training company now sells “Jake” targets.

I’ve been one of Jake’s biggest detractors here, but much as I’m not a Jake fan, I find it a bit disturbing that he’s become a target. What message is being sent here? That we should figuratively shoot at the people we don’t like? Also, I don’t see how Mike could use Jake’s likeness without being sued unless he’s licensing it from Jake, in which case it’s almost creepier.

I don’t care about your background, training, race, religion, if you are a jerk, then you are a jerk. This show is a competition, and when people like Jake get on there it is not fun to watch. He pretends that being a jerk is a strategy, it is a character flaw. People like that are compensating for being an insecure little bitch. He pretend that life is a dick measuring contest, it seems that he is coming up short every time. I hope that life comes around and bites him in the ass for treating people the way he does. And I agree with people he is unstable, and doesn’t need to be any where near young people. A classic sociopath.

Jake is someone you normally find on the back side of a zipper! Any parent with a child under his leadership needs to reconsider the outcome of his influence. Jake is win at any cost !Thats not what sports is all about. When the season first began and Jakes first words were “I’ the 8th black officer to complete SEAL training”. I told my wife, this guy is going to be an asshole! I’m sure all the time during his seal tarining, he played the race card often. I doubt he ever actually was envolved in any actual field opps. Most likely on a ship a very safe distance from harms way. If he even got out of the US. Had this dickhead served in Vietnam, he would’ve been fraged in a heartbeat. Anyone who attends a shooting competion will never see an asshole like Jake. To bad this show is most likely completed before it airs.Nothing would elevate the integrity of the show if Colby came into the house and told Jake he’s managed to undermind the purpose of the show, “sportsmanship in competion’. And therefore wil be sent home. The show is good enough with out assholes like Jake! Code Red for Jake!!

” I will be the first Top shot guy in history to put my name up and stomp put like a baby cause the competition is not going my way….” I am so glad he left and I am hoping the parents on that football team have his ass fired…Good bye the worst sport on Top Shot !! Don’t let the dorr hit your in the ass on your way out.

How ironic it is that Jake throws a little hissy fit at being chosen for elimination again and quits. It wasn’t arbitrary, he performed the worst. Now he can go home with an even bigger chip on his shoulder and rationalize it to friends and family. My best to them, I wouldn’t want to be in the same area code as this bastard.

I’m really sick of hearing how this little whiny sea-lawyer keeps getting touted as an ex-SEAL. He made it through training and they ran his ass out. Ex-SEAL my cracked ass, call it what it is: BUDS graduate who got ran off before he got a chance to get them killed on deployment.

What I never understood is why didn’t one of the competitors explain to “Jake the Jerk” that him being sent to the elimination round is exactly as he is trying to do with everyone else? He kept saying how he wants the best sent to elimination and since he professes to be the best, over and above everyone else, than by his reasoning, the other shooters are only following his reasoning and plan. Of course he wouldn’t acknowledge it for one reason or another but deep within himself, he would really have to admit it, if only to himself.

Looks like University of New Hampshire realized that Jake was not a good role model, sportsman (or anything else associated with good). Good ‘ol Jake got the boot from their school. Kuddos to UNH for looking out for the young men that were being influenced by Jake.

Dear “Top Shot’s” Jake: You may have been proud of yourself (Lord knows you think ridiculously higly of yourself), for making it 10 weeks on the show; but after the first day, I’d have kicked your ass out of the house and off the show! You didn’t deserve the opportunity you were blessed to have been given. You have piss poor sportsmanship and absolute lack of leadership, which you apparently ignored during your Naval Training. Way to go and thank you for quitting, you pansy ass!

Jake reaches new lows in sportsmanship and attitude. I find it incredible that he was a member of the Navy Seals. He has brought the show down to the level of one of those “House full of teenager shows” and is the only reality show I watch. If Jake hadn’t thrown a “Hissy Fit” and quit or been eliminated, this show would have been removed from my recorded series. HOW DID THIS JERK GET IN??? In the days following the incredible teamwork in getting Bin Ladin, I was never more proud of our military. He singlehandedly demished the opinion I have of the Seals. I THOUGHT THEY WERE ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK!!! I can’t believe someone in his own unit didn’t shoot him. How could someone so immature make it to such an elite unit. How embarresing to the Seals in general…

While I agree that Jake is a bad sportsman, the SEALs are a ruthless group. They are trained to accomplish the mission, and to avoid, kill, or destroy anything that gets in their way. The old joke is that if you send SEALs to do maritime drug interdiciton, you’re going to end up with dead drug dealers and a destroyed boat. Teamwork is an essential part of accomplishing the mission, but it is not the goal in itself; the mission is. And SEALs will gladly step on, destroy, or kill anyone and anything that gets between them and accomplishing their mission. Honor, sportsmanship, courtesy, and the rest can all go to hell for a SEAL on a mission. They don’t call them “snake eaters” for nothing.

But that has no place in a civilian competition, even when $100k is on the line.

I have to say that Kardinal and I are on the same page on this. Navy Seals are all about the team and their teammates foremost. Even to the point to were family may sometimes comes second…. I am not joking. There are seals that will tell you that they can tell when they have met up with another ‘Seal, the can feel as much as see it they. They are truly brothers, bonds so strong that they will drop everything at the drop of a hat to help a brother, in battle or in life no matter. When the season started I was excited to see a Seal was going to represent. Sadly in the very first episode i could see Jake had issues. The big thing that made me wonder about Jakes time as a seal was the fact that when one of the experts was a Seal they treated jake as they has the rest or even a little bit shorter with Jake. Like when the expert mentioned jakes poor performance and selected another contestant to be his ‘expert pick’. That was telling. People can say that the expert was just being professional. But I will tell you that Seals are notorious for being unconventional if not disdainful of the norms if you will. They would not have hesitated to show their loyalty and admiration for/to one another. And I saw this with all of the Seal experts.

After reading more about Jakes history. The naval academy, the fact he was indeed a Seal. He made it through Buds and moved to to Team 8 in Little Creek. This is no small feat. But after less than 3 years as a Seal he ‘Retired’. As a Seal even after BUD/S and you have been assigned to a team it will still take 3 or more years before he can even see combat. So the fact that he was a Seal for three years is telling as well.

The Seal Teams are truly all about the Team. Seals will move heaven and earth for their team mates, would willingly subject themselves to torture and death at the hands of the enemy then to let a teammate down. We can see Jake has little interest in being a team member. Its all about Jake… Even back then. Jake retired ‘honorably’ from the Navy in May 2001. Four months before 9/11 he left the Navy and the men he claims so proudly to be a part of and turned his back on them. I can think of no Seal who would have allowed his teammates to go to battle without them. They would re-enlist, lie, cajole, beg, bribe and more to be with their team. Not so for Jake. He turned his back on his team when someone made an indiscreet even offensive comment. We can see what kind of a man Jake Zweig is. And he is no Navy Seal and he should stop telling people he is. He may have made it through training and he may have gotten to a team, but he never proved himself a teammate. And in doing so he proved himself a failure. Stop telling people you are a Seal Jake.

I am an (ex) SEAL. Three years in the “Teams” does not make a “Team Guy”. None of the SEALs I worked with would have acted as he did on Top Shot. I wanted him to win and did understand some of his thinking. I wish he had carried himself with more respect for the other guys on the show.

Bob, please do not judge all Seals by Jake. He is one in a million Ass. My son was in the Navy and trust me Real Seals would never quit and act the way Jake did. I just hope he sees himself on the show and really sees himself as the jerk he was and changes his attitude. Patricia

I think Jake dishonored his “SEAL” Title. The fact that he was an officer scares me to no end! I served in Iraq and I never encountered a Soldier like him (Thank God) I thought Quiting was never an option!

That was the point I was trying to make also. I was a ScoutMaster from the time my Son’s were in Tiger Cubs — until — My oldest son became an Eagle scout. All he ever wanted to do was become a Navy Seal. Unfortunately he has a heart condition that made that imposible. I cannot even imagine him quitting…

You have wonder if the History Channel didn’t do a full background check on Sir Jakeass. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time someone lied about their military status or service record. Bottom line is that Seals DONT QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of people have made an issue of the fact that he only did 3 years in the SEALs, but 3 years is actually the average burn-out time for a SEAL. Not saying people don’t stay in longer, but it is a 24/7 career move and highly stressful, so a lot of careers tend to be short. Certainly someone like Jake would never have lasted longer anyways and probably just made it through the selection process by the skin of his teeth.

I have to say, while it’s not too satisfying to anyone that Jake wasn’t properly eliminated, bringing Mike back was the BEST decision. I’m so glad they brought him back and I can only imagine Jake cringing inside that the person he tried to get knocked out of Top Shot came back because he quit. Haha, talk about irony!

Keep in mind that him being a SEAL, whether before 9/11 or after, is much more than likely any of you above have accomplished regarding military service. Furthermore, he does not represent his branch of service or those who proudly wear a Trident. His attitude and demeanor represent only that of himself and should not be confused with others who either were/are NAVY SEALs.

In every branch, there are people who slip through the cracks (usually rarely) as operators whether if it’s as the above mentioned, or any special operations career field. Some lack intelligence, motivation, the mental or physical aspects, or simply character & integrity. We live in a ME first society and simply because you don’t vocalize how you feel doesn’t mean you haven’t or wouldn’t think the exact same way as Jake.

The guy was a douche simply put, and the show was almost unwatchable as a result of his attitude and comments. Learn from it – don’t be that guy – and if you already are? It’s never to late to work towards improvement.

Dave,
If matching Jake’s service record is a pre-requisite to calling him out for making false claims about getting an academy appointment as a high school freshman, or smearing the entire SEAL community as racist in an interview, or otherwise generally acting counter to most of the values and professional behaviors the military tries to instill–then I’ll put nearly 29 years in the Marine Corps (as an operator) against Jake’s abbreviated time in the Navy (including SEALS) any time. As I’ve said before, military service doesn’t excuse contemptible behavior. It makes it worse in my book.

For good or ill, when someone continually brags about their service credentials and experience, their actions DO reflect upon their former service. Since Jake wants to wrap himself in the mantle of his SEAL experience, it seems to me that he’s ETHICALLY obligated to act in a way that reflects positively on that community because, to some extent, his actions WILL reflect on that community. The SEALS’ stock is plenty high that a douche like Jake won’t do any damage, but don’t tell me there aren’t some SEALS out there who find it embarrassing that this guy ever wore the Trident.

Finally, I can assure you I do NOT think “the exact same way as Jake.” I don’t think anywhere CLOSE to Jake. Jake and his narcissistic orientation is repulsive to me and to the values that I so loved about the Marine Corps. As for others, whatever thoughts may cross their minds, in the end it’s their actions that count. Jake’s actions repulse me; the more so because I know damn well he was taught better.

You may want to avoid making claims that a guy like Jake has had more military achievement than some of the combat veterans who have posted on this blog. Jake may have completed SEAL training and spent some time on a team, but it doesn’t mean that he accomplished anything more than just that, special ops training. During his tour of service there were significantly less kinetic activities going on for the entire special ops community. Those of us who have served over the last ten years have sacrificed a great deal and have been recognized for valor on the battlefield. I served in special ops during the time Jake was on a SEAL team, so I speak from experience; I have also served since then and have 17 years of experience in variouse career fields in special ops and aviation and continue to serve. Don’t drink the cool aid of special operations, the most tested operators never drink the cool aid, it’s suicide to do so and has cost many operators their lives when their egos wrote checks they couldn’t cash.

I have an AMV in my OMPF earned when some of our best operators got into a bad spot by forgetting some of the basics of battle planning. They battled their way through it heroically and earned Silver Stars all around but at a cost. To this day I question why they went into that battle the way they did considering the fact they had more than 50 ANA in tow moving into a know Taliban strong hold where they were greatly out numbered and gave up the element of surprise, high ground, key terrain, clear fields of fire, (their LZ was in the middle of an open danger area) with an objective that required them to scales walls and cliff faces when they could have gone at night, using air assault as the insertion method and considering that it was a cordon and search with a large number of known enemy combatants; it should have been done only with operators, not with ANA. I’m not arm chair quarterbacking their fight, I was there, providing the close combat air support in an Apache Longbow that kept enemy fire off their backs, allowing for them to exfill before we leveled the entire stronghold, (thanks to our boys in blue), I’m just glad I was able to be there for them when they needed us. I only wish the SEAL team that got taken down to the last man had Apache support on a different day the year prior; I think if they had the fight would have ended up different. My point is simple, nobody, regardless of how much training they have or even experience, is Superman, and when anyone drinks the cool aid and thinks that they are, that’s when bad things tend to happen.

So, in summary, please don’t compare Jakes service to mine or any other combat vets who decide to post, his service likely pales in comparison.

p.s. It may be a ME first society according to you, but there are some of us who still think that our lives are worth sacrificing so other will have the time and the freedom to understand why and hopefully put other ahead of themselves; think on that for a while, I promise that when the day comes that you understand it your life will improve ten fold.

I can understand where you’re coming from. I have done much partnered with ANA and the like that normally turns operations into nightmares or simply causes them not to happen. The Kool Aid you speak of? I am not drinking anything – a SEAL is a SEAL is a SEAL. It means something. Anyone who has deployed and actually done things has my respect, and even those who aren’t fighters. I apologize if i unintentionally offended you.

I know it wasn’t your intention to offend, no worries, but know that while ANA accompany our Special Forces on missions, it’s our own guys who plan the mission and make the final call; so if things go south, ultimately we have to take responcibility. The problem with this battle was the planning, (from my point of view).

Being a SEAL does mean something, it means you are elite among the varied aray of military forces in the United States of America, however, training, regardless of how specialized and arduouse it may be, pales in comparison to what is accomplished in real battle. It prepares us and enables us to achieve our endstate, but if you never put it to practice, it becomes like all other perishable skills.

I would never take away from Jake what he rightfully earned, he is elite, but the apparent fact that he never put his training to use on an actual combat action, (wether during peace time or war(operators engaged in combat many times outside of declared states of war)), leads one to believe that his military credentials pale in comparison to those who repeatedly deploy to engage and destroy their enemy in close combat. I think his disgracefull departure from the competition showed more about his true character than anything else; a true warrior never quits.

I have seen quite a few SEALS represent very well on another show called “One man Army” and I don’t think the SEAL community on the whole would approve of Jake quiting; the fact that Jake probably doesn’t even care should tell you what kind of SEAL he is as well.

SUCKERS!!!! Come on people… you’ve been had!!! Who cares if he’s a seal, a shark or a whale. This guy is GREAT TV and he knows it (as certainly do the producers of top shot). All these reality shows have a villan: Omarosa “The Apprentice”, Russell, Boston Rob, Richard Hatch “Survivor” and the list goes on.
Competition can bring out the worst in people. But when money and fame are included in the prize, there’s no telling what some will do. But one things for sure, these villians are GOOD tv and good tv means money. As much as you want to make this a serious competition, IT”S TV, it’s not the olympics. What’s really Jake and what’s Jakes tv personna my be completely different. I’m sure it’s easy to get caught up in a tv personna and just have fun with it, which he cerainly did. And if he’s truly a big a**hole, who cares…. Who cares that he’s an A**hole and a seal, the seals aren’t perfect gods are they??? Heaven forbid, we’ve even had Presidents that are A**holes!!!

Great TV is a bunch of men competing to see who is the best while obeying all known rules and acting with decency toward fellow competitors. It is NOT seeing a big strong man act like a bloody five year old, stamping his feet when he did not get his way. If I wanted to see that kind of behavior I would have tuned into MTV, Spike, Disney, or E!. Like everybody else that I know, I watch the History channel to expand my mind, learn new things, and in a reality show, see people I can look up to. I can’t stand guns or shooting, but watched the previous seasons of Top Shot to learn new stuff and see a healthy ADULT competition. Jake brought the show and channel down to levels I had hoped grown men would never stoop. Everyone had a different idea of what great TV is but someone like Jake should be on any number of bad television shows where people regularly disgrace themselves for a buck or a few moments of fame. We kept waiting for a producer to step in and tell Jake to act like a proper sportsman or be thrown off the show and the fact that they never did changes the way we see that show. We had already agreed that if that asshole won, we would never watch Top Shot again, but even now that he is off, we doubt we will watch next season. If they let this kind of behavior go this time, I can only imagine what depths future contestants will lower themselves to. Hopefully Jake was a one time fluke, a mistake. Because I expect more from the History channel and more for a show that says it’s goal is to seek the best shooter. Part of being the best shooter is being a gentlemen and a good sportsman. Pricks like Jake don’t belong in a show besides other gentlemen shooters, he belongs in a kindergarden class or a circus.

Well said! This is TV. You can whatever you want with editing — jake gave them plenty of material to make him the bad guy, but who knows what the real story behind the show was. Check out “Scary Mary” on youtube — an alternate trailer for mary poppins. that makes it look like a completely different movie – only using the footage from the movie – not 24 horus a day for several weeks of footage.

It should come as NO surprise that the “Jakester” only served a total of 3 years as a “Seal” and I’ll use that term loosely. Fact of the matter is that he wasn’t even “Regular Navy” either and I don’t think he would have “Selected” for augmentation to the Regular Navy anyway. He was always stepping up to play the “it’s not fair” card every chance he got as well as complained that the others were picking on him. Those are probably a couple of factors as to “why” he never REALLY made it through the SEAL Program, and no, it doesn’t appear that he was involved in any “real life” missions when he was “assigned” to Team 8, but the fact that he was a Commissioned Officer would dictate that unless he was “relieved” or “removed” from a leadership position (very difficult to do with a crybaby – not to even think about him throwing out a race card if he had the chance – yea – I said it – we’ve all been thinking it) – well – all Officers are given junior personnel to “lead” and are given some sort of “charge” per say within a Division.
I don’t see any “history” of his true military service, but for all we know, after college, after BUDS and qualifications, assignment to his unit, etc …. there would have been a large block of time already exhausted off of his “military obligations” and if he acted like this while in uniform, well, nobody would have argued if he’d “up and quit” there as well ….

…. oh wait …. he DID “up and quit” the Military and the SEALs as well …. he would have had to submit a “RESIGNATION REQUEST” to get “out” of the military to begin with and “RESIGN” his Commission and within that short window he was there, he would not have been “Selected” for the “Regular Navy” anyway – he’d have been USNR, not USN (almost like a probationary period) and I’d not be surprised to find out that he had some sort of “restriction” on his SEAL status as well …. something to the effect of “Provisionally Qualified” would be an indicator that they just “signed him off” but then wouldn’t let him be in charge of anything that could cause real damage if it was screwed up. He could have been an “Admin type” and been an “Assistant Division Officer” or something like that.

He’s just a quitter and a bullshitter and the SEALS, the Navy, UNH and Top Shot are better off without the crybaby. His vajayjay bled out more in one hour than Oprah’s would in a year ….

“Coach Zweig began his coaching career in 2005 ….. Zweig graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 as a commissioned officer. He served as a surface warfare officer for two years onboard the U.S.S. Merrimack before reporting for Navy SEAL training at Basic Underwater Demolition School. … Following his SEAL training, Zweig reported to SEAL Team 8 in Little Creek, VA and attained the rank of Lieutenant.”

As much as I don’t really like Jake, If you go back to the episode where he is shooting the revolver held upside down, they talk briefly about him having trouble pulling the trigger with his pinkies like everyone else since he’s missing most of his pinky and I think ring finger on one hand. I don’t know that that is enough to be medically retired, but the circumstances of the injury could have had something to do with it.

It’s not, it was stated his fingers were chopped in an accident while he was young [something about a bus accident]. This means he got that before he even joined any branch of military training or service.

I agree that I still have the same respect for the Seals. Especially after getting Bin Ladin , but the comment about this being “GOOD TV” must have come from someone who is a fan of those “HOUSE FULL OF TEENAGER” type shows, which I tried to watch a couple times and found them to be the most banal and unwatchable TV I’ve ever seen. Just can’t fathom how anyone could find that crap “Good TV” — To me those shows reflect how much our society has degenerated…

This guy (Jake) had to have been kicked out of the seals. I would love to know his actual history as Seals do not act like this guy. I look for him to be in the news some day… he is a walking time bomb. He should never be around kids at any level. No leadership from all signs…. Disclaimer: Even if he was acting like this for a reason quitting simply makes no cense at all.

Competitor Phil Morden’s comments on Jake being a douchebag:
Jake, on the other hand, was [portrayed the way he really is]. There were times he was ten or twenty times worse then they can show on cable television because they can’t bleep out that many words in an hour-long segment. This is supposed to be a family show and it turned into some MTV thing with him constantly swearing. People have asked me, since I’ve gotten home, if he was really like that in real life and I have to tell them at times it was worse. This is surprising to them because they can’t fathom how it could be worse then what is portrayed on TV.http://www.examiner.com/firearms-in-detroit/phil-morden-talks-about-jake-zweig-s-decision-to-quit-top-shot-season-3

After the final 4 were determined, the harmony on the show was actually relaxing.
Despite liking each of the remaining contestants, I thought most had had at least isolated examples of poor shooting performance, except one.
It truly was my hope that that one emerged as the best, and it actually happened.
Justin tore it up!
The guy was always polite, and upbeat, and happy, and apparently does great things in his family and personal life.
Sometimes a reward goes to someone who deserves it.
I have no personal stake in this, I do not know anyone involved, and yet I feel elated by his victory.
Great Job JUSTIN

Jake wasn’t the only idiot w/ issues, S2 practically had a Red Team from Hell led by George who also plotted against his own, lets not forget. In S1, of course it was Adam who basically told the world it was acceptable behavior to plot, scheme, and take out ur own ppl. When I saw that I thought, “So THATS how n why we’ve lost so many soldiers overseas!” “Who needs terrorists when you have the USMC handling their own!” lol Seriously though, as repulsive as Adam was, Iian was a close runnerup for railroading Jim. They only highlight their insecurities in their abilities. The point is, they all come in sayin, “I wanna shoot against the best…” and to that I always laugh and say, “BS” bc given the chance, each and every one will gladly railroad someone they feel inferior to out the backdoor in a heartbeat. Which is why Adam did what he did and Mike Seeklander chose Kelly to go up against, he thought he was an easy win — WRONG! lol
Hmm, I kinda feel Jake might’ve been paid to leave to make room for Mike, either by the producers or Mike’s ppl bc that was just a little too…perfect? To be a coincidence.
In every season theres going to be an a**hole and/or whiney b*tch (S1 Brad?), EVERY SEASON. Now we’re up to S4, I promise you, we will have another. It’s just a question of how many.